Israeli airstrikes kill at least 10 in southern Lebanon, including senior army officers, days after ceasefire agreement

Jun 5, 2026

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 10 people, including a brigadier general and two other Lebanese army officers, just days after a US-brokered ceasefire was agreed to by Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah, which was not party to the deal, rejected the truce as "surrender" and continued attacks. The strike drew condemnation from Lebanon and other Arab nations, escalating a conflict that has killed over 3,500 in Lebanon since March 2.

Israeli strikes kill officers

▪The Israeli military stated the vehicle it struck was in an "active combat zone" and was "moving suspiciously" toward its soldiers.
▪The dead included three members of the Lebanese military: Brigadier General Wassam Sabra, Captain Elie Khoury, and soldier Hussein Ghozal.
▪A separate Israeli airstrike on the southern village of Saksakiyah on June 6, 2026, killed six people and wounded four.
▪At least 10 people were killed in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon on or around June 6, 2026.

Ceasefire violations continue

▪A previous ceasefire that took effect on April 17 has not been fully respected, with both sides exchanging accusations of violations.
▪The deadly strikes occurred days after Israel and Lebanon's government agreed to a new US-brokered ceasefire deal.
▪Hezbollah attacked Israeli troops in southern Lebanon with rocket barrages near Beaufort Castle, which Israeli troops had seized earlier in the week.

Regional condemnation statements

▪The Lebanese army condemned the attack as "brutal, deliberate and repeated Israeli aggression" aimed at thwarting a solution.
▪Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated the attack reaffirms that Israel "is laying claim to Lebanon in all its components."
▪Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the strike a "flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and of international laws."
▪Saudi Arabia and Jordan also condemned the Israeli attack on Lebanese soldiers.

Hezbollah rejects Washington truce

▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he would not bring the ceasefire to his cabinet for a vote unless Hezbollah first agreed to it.
▪Hezbollah rejected the US-brokered ceasefire, with the militant group calling the deal "tantamount to surrender."
▪The proposed truce included "pilot zones" where the Israeli army would withdraw and the Lebanese army would prevent Hezbollah from entering.

Lebanon conflict casualties

▪Israeli forces have launched a ground invasion and occupy more than 608 sq km of southern Lebanon.
▪The war began on March 2, 2026, after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
▪Since the conflict began, Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.
▪More than 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict.
▪The fighting has killed at least 29 Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians.