Israeli Troops Kill Two in South Lebanon After Lull in Fighting

Israeli soldiers have killed two men in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry, marking the first death reported since a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect over the weekend.

The victims were standing near a bulldozer clearing roads in the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa when Israeli troops, stationed on the Ali al‑Taher ridge, opened fire. Hezbollah described the shooting as a "blatant violation of the ceasefire" and said the men were linked to an emergency service group connected to the Iranian‑backed militia.

Israeli officials said the soldiers had engaged four Hezbollah fighters who had been moving a bulldozer and a motorcycle across the border, claiming the group had crossed into the "security zone" and ignored warning shots. They also said they had struck an armed cell north of the zone, though no casualties were reported there.

The incident follows a period of intensive fighting that began in March, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel after a strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader. The current clashes have already killed more than 4,000 people and displaced over a million Lebanese, according to the health ministry.

Both sides continue to push for further negotiations, with the United States urging that the ceasefire be upheld to support wider diplomatic efforts in the region.