2 Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon in the first Israeli deaths under truce

Key Points:

• Two Israeli soldiers were killed and four seriously wounded in an explosion in southern Lebanon, marking the first Israeli fatalities since a fragile truce with Hezbollah began nearly two months ago.
• The Israeli military responded with airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting villages including Mansouri, Tebnine, and Burj al-Shemali, resulting in Lebanese casualties and prompting calls for residents to evacuate.
• The recent violence interrupted ongoing negotiations in Rome between Lebanese and Israeli officials to implement a June 26 deal for Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanese areas and Lebanese army control, contingent on Hezbollah’s disarmament.
• Hezbollah, which has refused to disarm and was not a party to the deal, opposes the talks and accuses the Lebanese government of making excessive concessions without securing Israeli withdrawal.
• The ceasefire that began on June 20 has largely held despite continued Israeli military presence and periodic strikes, but the latest escalation underscores the fragility of peace efforts amid ongoing regional tensions.