An Israeli air strike in Tibnin killed one civilian and wounded 12, while an explosion in Majdal Selem killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded others. The incidents occurred amid Rome negotiations to implement a US-backed ceasefire framework that includes Israeli withdrawal, Lebanese army deployment to southern pilot zones, and the proposed disarmament of Hezbollah. Hezbollah rejects direct talks and refuses to disarm, and local residents remain fearful that the fragile calm could collapse.
Air Strike Kills Lebanese Civilian as Explosion Kills Two Israeli Soldiers Amid Rome Ceasefire Talks
A Lebanese man checks a destroyed house in the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, south Lebanon, Wednesday, August 5, 2026 [Mohammed Zaatari/AP]
On Wednesday, renewed violence in southern Lebanon left at least one Lebanese civilian dead and two Israeli soldiers killed, even as negotiations in Rome continued to implement a US-backed ceasefire framework.
Lebanon's Health Ministry said an Israeli air strike on the southern town of Tibnin struck the roof of a cemetery prayer hall, killing one person and wounding 12 others.
The strike followed an explosion in the southern village of Majdal Selem, where an improvised explosive device detonated inside a booby-trapped building. The Israeli military said two soldiers were killed, a third was critically wounded and several others were injured.
Al Jazeera reporter Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, said: "Majdal Selem remains under Israeli military occupation. The village lies close to al-Mansouri and, by our account, there is no Hezbollah presence there, making this a notable incident."
In response to the explosion, Israel's military announced on Telegram that it had begun what it described as "precise strikes" across southern Lebanon, calling the operations a response to a "blatant violation of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation." The Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Ella Waweya, also issued renewed evacuation orders for residents of al-Mansouri, urging them to move north ahead of additional strikes.
According to Lebanon's Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 4,333 people and wounded 12,250 others.
The incidents occurred while diplomats and military officials from Israel and Lebanon met in Rome to press ahead with a US-sponsored framework agreed in June. That framework envisages the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, the disarmament of Hezbollah and deployment of the Lebanese army to designated southern "pilot zones." Beirut is pushing for a phased Israeli withdrawal and an end to cross-border attacks.
Hezbollah has repeatedly refused direct talks with Israel and declined to disarm. On Tuesday, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem said the negotiations would bring "nothing but shame, humiliation" and successive concessions for Lebanon.
Journalists and residents say that, despite a recent reduction in large-scale fighting, the situation remains volatile. Many who have returned to damaged homes say they fear any renewed escalation or broader regional flare-up could quickly reignite conflict across the border.
Reporting: Al Jazeera; health statistics cited from Lebanon's Health Ministry.
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