Israeli attack on southern Lebanon kills two despite ceasefire in force

Contradictory reports on troop withdrawal

As early as the previous day, there were reports that residents of Ain Arab had been ordered to leave their homes. Israel, however, continues to operate with its own troops in southern Lebanon and is thus continuing to strike targets. Senior Israeli and Lebanese officials meanwhile disputed US claims that the Israeli army had partially withdrawn from some occupied areas in southern Lebanon.

A representative of Washington had stated that Israel had done so as a gesture of goodwill. The Israeli government had recently emphasized on several occasions that it would only withdraw once Hezbollah had been fully disarmed in the neighboring country. Israel wants to enforce the disarmament of Hezbollah. The Lebanese government primarily wants to achieve a withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Diplomatic talks in Washington

In the US capital Washington, direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are meanwhile continuing. The aim is to firm up the ceasefire. This report was broadcast on 25.06.2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program.

The renewed attack highlights the fragility of the recently agreed ceasefire. While diplomatic efforts in Washington are negotiating a stabilization, military operations in southern Lebanon are evidently continuing. The discrepancy between the political signals coming from the US and reports of ongoing attacks on the ground is fueling doubts about the effectiveness of the negotiated agreement.

Demands of both sides

Observers point out that the Israeli side is tying the ceasefire to conditions that the Lebanese government has so far not fully met. The disarmament of Hezbollah is considered Israel's central demand, while Beirut is primarily demanding the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from its own national territory.

The situation in Ain Arab also illustrates the impact on the civilian population. With orders to leave homes and reports of residential buildings being burned down, concern is growing about a further escalation in the region. NNA and other Lebanese bodies spoke of a direct consequence of the ongoing Israeli military presence in the border area.