Two Killed in Israeli Drone Strike in Southern Lebanon as Talks Continue in Washington

Two people were killed on Wednesday in an IDF strike in southern Lebanon, while the fifth round of negotiations was underway in Washington. According to reports, a drone hit a vehicle in the Kfar Rumman area.

The strike came days after Defense Minister Israel Katz again said Israel would not withdraw from the “security zones” it has created in Lebanon and Syria, even if the United States demands it. Speaking at the MUNI EXPO 2026 conference hosted by the Federation of Local Authorities, Katz said, “The IDF must be on the enemy’s side and protect the communities from within the territory itself.”

Katz said Israel is now applying a uniform model across the northern fronts and expects it to continue. “The three security areas operate according to the same model and are fixed in the current reality. As long as Hezbollah does not disarm, we will not leave the security zone,” he said.

He also said civilian populations will not be allowed to return to the security zones. “200,000 residents will not return. There are no residents and no terrorists. In the past, in security zones where there was a civilian population, there were explosives and attacks against soldiers, so we do not allow that. Soldiers inside, residents outside,” Katz said.