Israel says it killed Hezbollah commander in strike that left children dead

Israeli strikes on the south of Lebanon targeting a top Hezbollah commander have killed 11 people, including three children, making it the deadliest raid since deals in June eased hostilities in the region. Israel's military said the strikes in the early hours of Saturday were in retaliation for an attack by the Iran-backed militant group on its troops in Lebanon's south.Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) said Israel "escalated its attacks on the south" early on Saturday, reporting an air strike on a home in the village of Ansar. A "series of air strikes targeting the Ali al-Taher ridge", a strategic hill overlooking the Nabatieh area, and a strike on the southern town of Deir Zahrani were also reported by NNA.Raid targeted Hezbollah commanderLebanon's Health Ministry said seven people were killed "including three children and two women", in Ansar, where Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said "an entire family" had been killed.The ministry said four other people were killed and 17 others wounded including a child and 11 women in Deir Zahrani, raising an earlier toll of two dead.Israel says the strikes targeted a top Hezbollah commander. (AP Photo: Mohammed Zaatari)On Saturday, the Israeli military confirmed its strike on Ansar targeted a top Hezbollah commander.In a statement, the Israeli military said it had "struck a central headquarters of the Radwan Force", referring to an elite Hezbollah unit."The strike eliminated terrorist Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a battalion commander in the Radwan Force".The military further acknowledged a "claim" that "Hassan's family was also present with him inside the military headquarters," adding that they "were not the target of the strike".After the strikes in Ansar, an AFP correspondent saw rescuers combing the rubble of a destroyed building, and a swimming pool grey and clouded with debris.In the nearby locale of Deir Zahrani, heavy traffic towards the city of Sidon was seen as people headed north in cars packed with their belongings.People in the area were seen leaving with their belongings after the air strikes. (AP Photo: Mohammed Zaatari)Lebanon read through lines of 'violated agreement'The blitz came as Israel and Lebanon were set to hold an eighth round of US-sponsored direct negotiations early next month in Rome.Both powers agreed on a framework deal during talks in Washington in June, but Mr Aoun said the events that unfolded on Saturday indicated otherwise.The US has sponsored talks between Lebanon and Israel with hopes of easing hostilities between the forces. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)"Violations are a clear message on the negotiations process and American efforts aiming to implement this agreement."Hezbollah said the Israeli attacks "will be met with an appropriate response", urging Lebanese authorities to abandon "the humiliating path of direct negotiations".The Israeli army said it struck "Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the areas of Nabatieh and Ansar" in response to "action" by Hezbollah against Israeli soldiers in the Ali al-Taher ridge.It later added that Hezbollah had "attacked our forces inside the agreed security zone", a strip of territory about 10 kilometres deep inside Lebanon where Israeli forces are operating, decrying "a serious violation of the agreement".AFP