The state news agency reports that at least four individuals have lost their lives due to two distinct attacks in the southern region of the nation, as Israel asserts it was targeting Hezbollah operatives.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, the Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals. The strikes, aimed at Hezbollah operatives, occurred despite the agreed November ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah after a prolonged period of hostilities, including two months of warfare.
On Thursday, these strikes marked the latest in a string of deadly incidents in south Lebanon. A Health Ministry statement, as reported by the National News Agency (NNA), confirmed that an “Israeli enemy strike on a car in Yohmor al-Shaqeef led to the death of three people”. This attack was accompanied by an “enemy drone” targeting a vehicle near a town, which coincided with artillery shelling.
Israeli military claims to have struck Hezbollah terrorists observed transferring weapons in the Yuhmor area of southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the NNA reported that one individual was killed and another injured when an Israeli drone targeted a car in the town of Maaroub, also located in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli government has continued to conduct raids in Lebanon since the November 27 ceasefire, targeting what they describe as Hezbollah military objectives that infringe upon the agreement. However, the majority of casualties have been civilians. Earlier this month, a Health Ministry statement revealed that an Israeli attack in the Yuhmor area resulted in two fatalities, while the Israeli military claimed responsibility for striking two Hezbollah operatives.
Escalation in Hostilities
Last weekend saw the most severe escalation since the truce, with Israeli strikes in south Lebanon claiming eight lives. The strikes were allegedly in retaliation for rocket fire, the first to hit Israeli territory since the ceasefire.
No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, though military sources traced its origin north of the Litani River, between Kfar Tebnit and Arnoun villages, within the ceasefire zone. Hezbollah, weakened by the conflict, has denied any involvement.
According to the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah committed to pulling its forces back to north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Israeli border, and dismantling any remaining military infrastructure in the south. In turn, Israel was expected to withdraw its forces from positions across the United Nations-d demarcated Blue Line, the de facto border, yet it still maintains five strategically significant positions in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated that the continued Israeli presence would not be accepted. He emphasized the rejection of any normalization or surrender, stating that there is no place for such concessions in Lebanon.
