Nine people, including three children, have been killed and 11 others injured in two Israeli airstrikes that struck residential homes in southern Lebanon. The attacks, which reportedly hit the villages of Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani, represent the most significant casualty toll since a period of reduced hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah was established in June.

One of the strikes, occurring early on Saturday morning, targeted a family home on the outskirts of Ansar, southern Lebanon. This particular incident resulted in the deaths of seven people and led to the complete destruction of the building. Rescue services were immediately dispatched to the site, where they are continuing efforts to locate potential survivors and recover bodies from the debris.

The Israeli military acknowledged conducting strikes on what it described as "Hezbollah terror infrastructure." These operations, according to the military, were carried out in retaliation for a prior action against its soldiers. The precise nature of the alleged earlier action was not detailed in the statement.

In addition to the Ansar incident, reports indicate a second airstrike also hit a home in Deir al-Zahrani, contributing to the total number of fatalities and injuries. The coordinated nature of these strikes across multiple locations suggests a broader military operation in the region.

The recent escalation underscores the persistent tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. The current casualty count surpasses any single incident since agreements in June had brought about a temporary lull in the ongoing exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of widespread conflict in the area.