Israeli Air Strike Kills 13 Lebanese State Security Officers in Nabatieh

An Israeli air strike on the Nabatieh Saraya government building killed at least 13 members of Lebanon's State Security agency.

The strike caused extensive destruction, with bodies recovered from beneath the rubble.

Al Jazeera

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, stating it would not deter Lebanon from defending its sovereignty.

The strike came as Israel and Lebanon prepared to hold direct talks in Washington next week.

The Lebanese government announced it would file an urgent complaint to the United Nations Security Council.

The Nabatieh strike occurred amid contradictory signals over a ceasefire.

Lebanese President Aoun said talks would be held under a ceasefire, while Israel said a ceasefire was not on the agenda.

AP News

Israel and the United States denied the two-week ceasefire announced by the U.S. and Iran that included Lebanon.

Hezbollah considered Israel's attacks to be a violation of the ceasefire.

The strike came three days after Israel launched a wave of strikes that killed more than 300 people across Lebanon.

The Nabatieh strike underscored the divergence between Lebanon's government and Hezbollah.

The government banned Hezbollah's military activities and is moving towards bilateral negotiations with Israel.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Kassem called on the government to stop giving free concessions to Israel.

The strike on a state institution came as Israel and Lebanon prepared to hold direct talks.

The Israeli strikes have caused extensive destruction and displacement across Lebanon.

The Nabatieh Saraya building is a vital center housing most Lebanese ministries and security centers.

BBC

The Rafik Hariri Hospital remained operational despite evacuation warnings.

Rescue workers reported waves of intense bombardment starting overnight.

Hezbollah launched around 30 rockets into Israel on Friday.