Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon as U.S.-Mediated Talks Continue

A drone strike by Israel in southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed at least two people, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). The attack occurred near the Tallat al-Dabsha road in the Kfar Reman area, Nabatieh province. Shortly after, Israeli forces shelled the outskirts of Yater town in the Bint Jbeil district.

The attacks come as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has cooled in recent days following ceasefire calls from both the U.S. and Iran. They are the latest violations of a ceasefire re-established last week through a U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending the broader Middle East war.

Israel's military said the strike targeted Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials maintain that Israel's ongoing occupation of their territory remains a contentious issue, demanding that Israeli forces withdraw and cease attacks to sustain the ceasefire.

In an interview with The Times of Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated: "The military will not withdraw from Lebanon, even if so requested by the United States." Katz added, "200,000 residents will not return," referring to those displaced from southern Lebanon. "What happened in the past when civilians returned was roadside bombs and attacks on soldiers, so we will not allow that."

De-escalation, Not Termination

Al Jazeera's Heidi Pett, reporting from Tyre, Lebanon, said: "What we are seeing is a reduction in intensity, but not an end, to Israeli military activities in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army continues operations, though much more limited than the violence of last weekend."

Many residents are returning to their homes in southern Lebanon despite the risk of attack. According to the mayor of Abbasiyeh, 80% of the town's population has returned in recent days. "In Abbasiyeh, there is water, electricity, and local health services. But not every town or village is like that," Pett said.

In Washington, Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan reported that the latest round of Israel-Lebanon talks is expected to include a military component. "There is a proposal to allow Lebanese forces to replace Israeli forces, provided they are vetted by the U.S. as having no ties to Hezbollah," Jordan said.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told a British delegation on Wednesday that his government will deploy the Lebanese army to the south after Israeli forces withdraw. Rebuilding destroyed areas will be the next step, Aoun added, emphasizing that the Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington are separate from the U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Hezbollah condemned the Lebanon-Israel talks in the U.S., demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon first.