Israel Strikes Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon After Drone Attack Seriously Wounds Three Soldiers

Israel carried out a major series of strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on August 15 after an explosive-laden drone attack seriously wounded three Israeli soldiers, putting renewed pressure on a ceasefire that had held for nearly two months.

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported at least 11 people killed and 19 wounded in the Israeli strikes, marking the deadliest reported day in Lebanon since the June 20 ceasefire began.

Lebanese authorities said seven people were killed when a home was struck in the village of Ansar, including three children and two women. Four additional deaths were reported in Deir el-Zahrani.

Israel Says Hezbollah Broke the Ceasefire

Israel said its operation came after Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by launching an explosive-laden drone at Israeli forces operating in a security zone near Ali al-Taher. Three Israeli soldiers were seriously wounded in the attack.

The IDF said it responded by striking Hezbollah infrastructure and eliminating Ali Samir al-Hajj Hassan, identified by the military as a commander in Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force.

The Radwan Force has long been a central Israeli security concern because of its role in Hezbollah's offensive capabilities and operations near Israel's northern border.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made clear that attacks against Israeli troops and civilians would draw a response.

“Nothing on any front will be left without an accounting. We will strongly defend our soldiers and citizens,” Katz said.

Lebanese Leaders Condemn Israeli Strikes

Lebanese leaders sharply criticized Israel following reports of civilian casualties. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said women and children were not military targets, while President Joseph Aoun argued that the strikes threatened efforts to implement the U.S.-mediated diplomatic framework.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a longtime Hezbollah ally, called on international mediators to intervene to prevent another major war.

Hezbollah Disarmament Remains Key Dispute

The deeper dispute remains Hezbollah's weapons and military presence in southern Lebanon.

A framework reached on June 26 envisioned a phased Israeli withdrawal as Hezbollah underwent verified disarmament and the Lebanese Armed Forces established control in the south. The two sides remain divided over which step must happen first.

Hezbollah has maintained that Israeli forces must withdraw before disarmament can be discussed. Israel has taken the opposite position, insisting it will not withdraw while an armed Hezbollah continues to pose a threat along its northern frontier.

Katz reiterated on August 13 that Israeli forces would not leave southern Lebanon before Hezbollah is disarmed.

Regional Diplomacy Under Pressure

The renewed fighting comes as broader U.S.-Iran diplomatic arrangements have also faltered. A June memorandum was intended to establish a framework for ending military activity across multiple fronts and reaching a final agreement within 60 days.

That diplomatic process subsequently stalled, leaving Washington and Tehran without direct negotiations on extending the arrangement and increasing uncertainty across the region.

The latest Hezbollah attack and Israel's response now place the Lebanon ceasefire under one of its most serious tests. Israel continues to insist that Hezbollah cannot be allowed to rebuild an armed threat on its northern border, while the unresolved dispute over disarmament and Israeli withdrawal remains at the center of the confrontation.