ISTANBUL

A new wave of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least nine people and injured seven others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The strikes targeted the town of Arki in Sidon district, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported, citing the ministry.

On March 2, Lebanese group Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military sites in response to repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the killing of Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike.

Israel retaliated by launching a military campaign in Lebanon, carrying out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and areas in the south and east of the country, and on March 3 began a limited ground incursion in southern Lebanon.