BEIRUT, May 9 - An attack by Israeli forces on the southern Lebanese town of Saksakiyeh resulted in the deaths of at least seven people, including a child, and left 15 others wounded, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The Israeli military said the strike hit Hezbollah militants in Saksakiyeh, alleging those targeted were planning operations against Israeli troops. In an official statement, the military commented on reports of civilian harm, saying: "The IDF is aware of reports regarding harm to uninvolved civilians in the structure in which the terrorists were struck. The details of the incident are under review."
The strike is part of a continuing pattern of exchanges between Israel and the armed group Hezbollah along Lebanon’s southern border. These exchanges have persisted even though a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was announced on April 16. Israeli forces have also said they killed the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force on Wednesday - described by Israel as its first strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs since the ceasefire took effect.
While military actions have continued, the United States has been facilitating diplomatic engagement between the two sides. Washington has hosted two rounds of meetings between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, the highest-level contacts between Lebanese and Israeli government representatives in decades. A U.S. State Department official said representatives of Israel and Lebanon would meet for a third round of talks in Washington on Thursday and Friday.
The immediate human toll from the Saksakiyeh strike - multiple fatalities including a child, and numerous wounded - was reported by Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel’s statement framed the operation as aimed at militants said to be planning attacks, while also acknowledging reports that civilians may have been injured at the site and indicating an internal review of the circumstances.
The incident underlines the fragility of the ceasefire environment described in recent weeks, as military actions and targeted killings have continued to occur alongside diplomatic contact. The reported killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut’s southern suburbs marked a notable escalation in terms of location, according to Israeli statements, and occurred after the ceasefire announcement.
Diplomatic channels remain active even as hostilities continue on the ground. The U.S.-hosted meetings between the two countries’ ambassadors represent the highest-level talks in decades, and negotiators have planned a subsequent round of discussions in Washington later this week, according to a State Department official.
Summary of reported facts
- At least seven people, including a child, were killed in Saksakiyeh; 15 were wounded, per Lebanon's health ministry.
- Israel said it struck Hezbollah militants it accused of planning attacks against Israeli soldiers and is reviewing reports of civilian harm in the struck structure.
- Violence between Israel and Hezbollah has continued in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced on April 16, and diplomatic talks between the two countries' ambassadors in Washington have continued.