Israel Kills 14+ in Southern Lebanon; Declares Zahrani River South a 'Combat Zone'; Lebanon Security Talks in Washington — Day 90

Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon on May 28, 2026 (Day 90) killed at least 14 people in multiple incidents ahead of planned Lebanon-Israel security talks in Washington. Key strikes included: a drone strike on a Sidon apartment building housing displaced families killing 5 and wounding 21; a strike on a fleeing family car in Adloun killing 6 including 4 children; a motorcycle strike near Tyre killing 2; and a motorcycle strike near Nabatiyeh killing a Lebanese army soldier. In response to the continued strikes, Israel formally declared all areas south of the Zahrani River — approximately 40 kilometers from the Israeli border — a 'combat zone' and issued evacuation orders for the region. The Zahrani River declaration significantly expanded Israel's previously declared operational perimeter in Lebanon, effectively rendering nearly one-third of Lebanese territory a formal combat zone under IDF operational rules. Separately, one IDF soldier in northern Israel was killed by a Hezbollah drone — the 22nd Israeli fatality on the Lebanon front since it opened March 2 — and two reservists were wounded. Al Jazeera reported at least 16 killed in total across the day's operations. Lebanon's cumulative death toll rose to 3,118+ killed since March 2. The Lebanon-Israel security track meeting was scheduled for Washington on Friday, May 29, ahead of political talks June 2–3.