Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldiers, says army

Lebanese soldiers killed in Israeli strike. File photo

| Published June, 6 2026 | Updated

Beirut (Web Desk): Lebanese soldiers killed in Israeli strike on vehicle in south Lebanon as ceasefire tensions escalate again despite truce efforts.

Several Lebanese soldiers, including an officer, were killed in an Israeli strike targeting a military vehicle in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese army. The attack comes amid rising tensions despite ongoing ceasefire efforts.

The Lebanese military said the strike hit a vehicle on the Khardali–Nabatieh road. The army described the incident as a “barbaric Israeli raid” in a statement shared on the social media platform X. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah officially took effect on April 17. However, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce, raising serious doubts about its effectiveness.

Earlier this week, a new conditional truce was discussed by Lebanese and Israeli representatives in Washington. The proposal included Hezbollah halting fire, withdrawing from border areas, and allowing the Lebanese army to deploy in designated zones.

However, Hezbollah has rejected the agreement, demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory instead. On Saturday, Israel also issued evacuation warnings for five villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, urging residents to move north of the Zahrani River for safety.

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An Israeli military spokesperson said the operations were being carried out in response to what it called violations of the ceasefire by Hezbollah. The wider conflict escalated after cross-border hostilities earlier this year, leading to airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, speaking in an interview with CNN, criticized external interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs, saying the country should not be used as a bargaining tool in regional negotiations.

He stressed that the Lebanese people are tired of war and urged Hezbollah to engage in dialogue and diplomacy as the only way forward for stability. Despite diplomatic efforts, the situation on the ground remains tense, with fears that renewed fighting could further destabilize the region.