Two Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon amid truce talks
Two Israeli soldiers died in an explosion in Majdal Zoun, Lebanon, marking the first Israeli fatalities since a cease-fire with Hezbollah began in June, as negotiations over troop withdrawals continue.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed by an explosion in the village of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said on Thursday. Four other soldiers were reported seriously wounded. An army spokesperson, speaking anonymously, said the blast occurred when the soldiers entered the site and that the type of explosive is being investigated.
The incident follows Israeli air and artillery strikes launched on Wednesday in response to what Israel described as a Hezbollah breach of the cease-fire. The strikes hit the towns of Tebnine, Burj al-Shemali, Mansouri and Majdal Zoun, killing one Lebanese civilian and injuring 20 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and the state-run National News Agency.
Hezbollah has not issued a statement on the latest events. The latest round of fighting comes as Lebanese and Israeli negotiators met in Rome to discuss the implementation of a June 26 agreement that calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from occupied areas of southern Lebanon and for the Lebanese army to assume control, while Hezbollah’s disarmament remains unresolved.
Negotiations have focused on establishing “pilot zones” where Israeli troops would pull back and Lebanese forces would take over. The first pilot zone was opened last month in an area that had not been occupied but had previously been targeted by Israeli fire. Lebanese officials have suggested expanding the pilot zones to towns such as Khiam or Bint Jbeil, which were heavily contested during the March-April conflict.
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa cautioned that moving too quickly on new zones could endanger civilians, and the talks, which were paused after the Wednesday escalation, were slated to resume on Thursday.
"Moving too quickly risks jeopardizing the very civilians this process is meant to protect," said Ambassador Issa.
The cease-fire, which began on June 20, has largely held, although Israeli forces continue to operate in parts of southern Lebanon and conduct periodic strikes.