At least 11 people, including three children, have been killed and 19 others wounded in a series of Israeli air strikes across southern Lebanon, the country's Ministry of Health confirmed.

The latest strikes targeted civilian-populated areas in Ansar and Deir ez-Zahrani in the Nabatieh district early Saturday, according to local sources.

In Ansar, seven people were killed, among them three children, while two others were wounded. Another Israeli strike on Deir ez-Zahrani killed four people and injured 17, according to Lebanese authorities.

The attacks have added to the suffering of communities in southern Lebanon, where civilians continue to face the consequences of repeated Israeli military operations and the destruction of homes and infrastructure.

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri strongly condemned the latest strikes, describing them as a “massacre” and accusing Israel of pursuing what he called a “war aimed at extermination” in southern Lebanon.

Berri's condemnation reflects growing anger in Lebanon over attacks that have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries while further destabilizing communities already affected by years of conflict and economic hardship.

The latest violence has also intensified debate in Lebanon over how the government should respond to Israeli military pressure and international mediation efforts.

Hezbollah condemned the Israeli strikes and urged the Lebanese government to abandon what it described as “humiliating” direct negotiations with Israel.

The group also criticized Beirut's reliance on Washington as a mediator, arguing that the United States has consistently prioritized Israeli interests rather than safeguarding Lebanese sovereignty.

Hezbollah warned Israel that continued attacks would provoke a response, rejecting attempts to impose what it described as a new reality on southern Lebanon through military force.

“The Israeli enemy must understand well that its assaults, its transgressions, and its attempts to impose a fait accompli cannot continue, and will be met with what they deserve,” Hezbollah said.

The statement framed the latest Israeli attacks as part of a broader effort to impose military and political pressure on Lebanon while undermining the country's sovereignty.

The latest strikes have heightened fears that continued Israeli military operations could further destabilize southern Lebanon and widen the conflict.

For communities in the south, the immediate consequences are being measured in lives lost, families wounded and homes damaged.

Lebanese authorities have called for an end to attacks on Lebanese territory and for the country's sovereignty to be respected.

As rescue and medical teams continue responding to the latest strikes, concerns remain that further Israeli attacks could produce additional civilian casualties and push the already fragile situation toward a broader confrontation.

For many in Lebanon, the latest deaths are not merely another statistic in a prolonged conflict but a stark reminder of the continuing price being paid by civilians in the country's south. (ILKHA)