Israeli strike kills seven in south Lebanon, state news reports

The strike is one of the deadliest attacks on Lebanon in the weeks since it agreed to a U.S.-mediated peace framework with Israel. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, however, described the framework as an "Israeli order" and stated the militia rejected it as surrender.

The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure overnight in response to actions against its soldiers. Israel seized territory in south Lebanon earlier this year during a war with Hezbollah, and has stated it will maintain its forces there to protect northern Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated on Thursday that Israel would not withdraw from the regions it controls until Hezbollah is disarmed. A U.S. State Department official commented that a permanent Israeli military presence in the area is inconsistent with the commitments outlined in the deal with Lebanon's government. At least 4,300 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2.