BEIRUT, Aug. 6 -- Two Israeli soldiers were killed by an explosion in a southern Lebanese village on Wednesday, the first Israeli military deaths since the June ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect and an abrupt rupture in the six weeks of relative quiet that had allowed negotiators to begin the work of withdrawal.

The explosion struck in Majdal Zoun when soldiers entered a site in the village. An Israeli military official said the explosive "was detonated" at the moment of entry; the investigation into whether the device was planted deliberately or remains a remnant from earlier fighting had not concluded by Wednesday evening. Four additional soldiers sustained serious injuries. Israel responded with airstrikes on southern Lebanon in th...