<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/israel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Israeli</a> airstrikes killed at least 12 people, including two children, in southern <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/lebanon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lebanon</a> early on Monday, amid renewed fighting between Israel and <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/hezbollah/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hezbollah</a> that threatens a U.S.-brokered truce.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, two strikes targeted the village of Kfar Rumman. One strike hit a residential building, resulting in 11 fatalities, including two children and four women, with eight others injured.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The second strike targeted a vehicle, killing a paramedic affiliated with the Lebanese Islamic Risala Scout Association and injuring two additional individuals.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Israeli military stated that the airstrikes were a response to two explosive drone attacks launched by Hezbollah against Israeli troops in Lebanon. Israel claimed to have targeted a Hezbollah operative identified as transferring weapons in the Kfar Rumman area. Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for the drone attacks.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">These strikes represent the latest escalation in southern Lebanon, despite a U.S.-mediated framework agreement established in June aimed at ending months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Ongoing negotiations for a permanent diplomatic settlement were taking place in Rome, although Hezbollah was not involved in those discussions.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Recent fighting has intensified around the strategically significant Ali Taher hill, an area where Hezbollah factions are located. Israel reported last week that its forces had achieved “operational control” of the hill, which overlooks nearby villages and roads and contains underground infrastructure utilized by Hezbollah. The group has declined proposals to transfer control of the position to the Lebanese military.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Israeli airstrikes on Sunday resulted in at least seven fatalities in southern Lebanon and the destruction of an unoccupied hospital following another drone attack by Hezbollah.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The renewed conflict occurs alongside diplomatic advancements between Israel and Lebanon. Last week, Israel released five Lebanese prisoners as part of an agreement in which Lebanon committed to search for the remains of Jewish Lebanese citizens who went missing during the civil war.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In other developments in the Middle East, fighting between U.S. forces and Iran resumed last week. The United States has accused Iran of laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting strikes on Iranian military operations. President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> stated he does not anticipate the renewed fighting to persist for long, although he made a similar comment at the onset of the conflict over six months ago.</p>