RismadarVoice Reporters, June 7, 2026
At least 12 people, including senior Lebanese military officers, were killed in a series of Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon on Saturday, intensifying tensions despite recent efforts to establish a ceasefire between the two countries.
The Lebanese Armed Forces confirmed that a brigadier general, a captain and a soldier were killed when an Israeli strike hit a military vehicle travelling along the Khardali-Nabatieh road. The attack marks one of the deadliest incidents involving Lebanese military personnel since the latest escalation of hostilities began.
Israel’s military acknowledged the strike, stating that it occurred within what it described as an active combat zone. According to Israeli officials, movement in the area required prior coordination with the Israeli army. The military added that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Lebanese authorities strongly condemned the attack. The army accused Israel of undermining diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a lasting solution to the conflict. At the same time, President Joseph Aoun described the strike as a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also denounced the attack, calling it a grave crime against Lebanon. He extended condolences to the families of Brigadier General Wassam Sabra, Captain Elie Khoury and soldier Hussein Ghozal, who were among those killed.
The incident drew widespread regional and international criticism. Hezbollah described the strike as a serious act of aggression and accused the Lebanese government of failing to adequately protect the country from Israeli attacks.
Iran also condemned the operation, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei describing it as an assault on Lebanon’s sovereignty and military institutions. Similar statements of condemnation were issued by Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, all of which called for respect for Lebanese territorial integrity and an immediate end to hostilities.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the attack, stating that such actions constitute violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which serves as the framework for maintaining stability along the border.
In separate incidents across southern Lebanon, Israeli air and drone strikes reportedly killed nine additional people. Six people lost their lives in an air raid on the village of Saksakiyah in Sidon district, while other fatalities were reported in Deir al-Zahrani, on the Zifta-Nabatieh highway and in the Habboush area.
Israeli forces also issued fresh evacuation warnings for residents of several southern Lebanese communities, directing civilians to relocate north of the Zahrani River.
The Israeli military said it had carried out strikes on approximately 150 Hezbollah-linked targets over the previous two days. According to Israeli authorities, the operations targeted weapons depots, command centres, rocket launch sites and other infrastructure allegedly used by Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported that two of its soldiers were killed during operations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for an attack on an Israeli Merkava tank near Bint Jbeil, saying the strike was carried out using a drone.
The latest violence comes despite ceasefire arrangements announced in April and renewed diplomatic efforts this week in Washington. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating previous agreements, leading to continued exchanges of fire.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal, arguing that it fails to address key issues, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
Since the conflict reignited in early March, Lebanese health authorities report that more than 3,500 people have been killed and nearly 11,000 injured in Israeli attacks across the country.
As diplomatic efforts continue, fears remain that the latest escalation could further destabilise the region and complicate ongoing negotiations aimed at ending hostilities.
