The Lebanese military reported that an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon wounded one soldier and three civilians, amid stalled efforts to implement a peace agreement between the two countries. The army stated that the soldier was seriously injured after an Israeli attack targeted an army vehicle in the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, an area that has seen repeated Israeli strikes in recent weeks despite an existing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency described the incident as an assault by an “enemy drone” on Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The town’s proximity to the Israel-Lebanon border has made it a frequent site of conflict since Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, escalated tensions by launching attacks on Israel in March. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes and a ground invasion, actions Lebanon claims have resulted in more than 4,300 deaths.
In June, Lebanon and Israel reached a framework agreement brokered under US mediation. The accord includes provisions for the gradual disarmament of Hezbollah, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army into specific zones known as “pilot zones” to restore state authority. Since the signing of the agreement and a separate memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran earlier that month, violence has reportedly decreased.
Lebanon’s military moved into two pilot zones in July; however, the full implementation of the agreement has been delayed. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed this concern during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, urging further progress on the accord’s execution.
Despite the agreement, Hezbollah continues to maintain its armed presence, refusing to disarm. Meanwhile, Israel continues to conduct military strikes within Lebanese territory and maintains a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon, actions that have hindered the full realization of the deal. The situation remains tense, with the peace framework facing significant challenges on both political and operational levels.