Israel resumes airstrikes in southern Lebanon as two soldiers killed in explosion

Israel resumed airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, accusing Hezbollah of violating a ceasefire that had largely held since June 20. The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that two of its soldiers—Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Harel Birnstock and Sergeant Major (Res.) Tamir Vaknin—were killed in an explosion at a booby-trapped residence in Majdal Zoun, with four others seriously injured .
Lebanese state media reported at least one civilian death and 11 injuries in an Israeli strike on the city of Tibnin on Wednesday, while the Lebanese Health Ministry said Israeli retaliatory attacks killed at least one person on Thursday . The Israeli military also issued its first evacuation warning in weeks to residents of the southern Lebanese village of Mansouri before conducting what it described as "precise strikes" .
The escalation comes as U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon entered a seventh round in Rome, aiming to end cross-border hostilities that have persisted for months. The discussions, which began on Tuesday, focus on expanding pilot zones where the Lebanese army would disarm Hezbollah after an Israeli withdrawal, according to reporting from Beirut .
Meanwhile, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir stated on Wednesday that forces would continue "proactive operations" in Gaza, reiterating that Israel had not agreed to a U.S.-backed plan for the territory . Separately, Israeli forces conducted a large-scale raid on the Qalandiya refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, injuring eight Palestinians and issuing demolition threats to homes and shops .
In the Strait of Hormuz, a British maritime agency reported two explosions near an oil tanker on Thursday, amid ongoing regional tensions. Iran stated it was in the "final stage" of an agreement with Oman over the strait, while U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a deal could be announced within days .
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