7 killed in Israeli dawn strike on Ansar, deadliest attack since June's cease-fire

SOUTH LEBANON/NABATIEH — An Israeli strike killed seven people and injured three in the southern Lebanese village of Ansar early Saturday, one of the deadliest tolls from Israeli attacks since a cease-fire took effect in mid-June

The attack was carried out around 4:30 a.m. on two buildings in the Mraiseh neighborhood, near the Qalaat Mais area between Ansar and Zrarieh, our regional correspondent reported. The area was frequently targeted during the previous 15-month cease-fire that preceded the last war in March.

Several Israeli missiles were fired, causing significant damage. Rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene and pulled nine people from the rubble, seven of whom were dead, according to local sources.

Ansar's Mayor told L'Orient Today that the targeted building, which had two floors, was housing two displaced families from Jibsheet and Zibdie, also in the Nabatieh district. He asserted that the targeted area was "exclusively civilian," emphasizing that there was "no military site or presence." The mayor added that some residents of Ansar, gripped by fear, had left the village.

Ansar is located about 15 kilometers west of Nabatieh and around 30 kilometers north of the border.

This bombardment, unprecedented since an ostensible cease-fire came into effect on June 20 between Hezbollah and Israel following the signing of the framework agreement between Iran and the United States, was preceded throughout the night by a series of attacks along the front line.

Additionally, Israeli aircraft carried out several strikes near Nabatieh Fawqa, targeting the church district, the surrounding square, and the vicinity of Dar al-Moualemeen. A restaurant and several businesses were destroyed.

Explosives barrels dropped on Ali Taher

Several strikes also targeted the hills of Ali Taher, where barrels of explosives were dropped on Saturday morning.

These attacks forced dozens of families from the city of Nabatieh to flee overnight toward Saida.

The Israeli army also carried out more house demolition operations in Haddatha (Bint Jbeil) and Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh). The outskirts of Aita al-Jabal were also hit by machine-gun fire.

Earlier, strikes had targeted Qantara, in the Marjayoun district, and artillery fire was reported in Wadi Houjeir (Marjayoun), Dohat Roummane (Nabatieh), and Mansouri (Sour).

On Friday evening, Israeli aistrikes hit Mansouri and the outskirts of Adsheet al-Qsair.