An Israeli drone attack in southern Lebanon on Sunday killed five people, including three children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Two others were also injured, including the mother.
The Israeli military confirmed that the strike was aimed at a Hezbollah militant, who it said was operating from within a civilian area. The military acknowledged that the attack resulted in civilian casualties and stated it was investigating the incident, reports AP/UNB.
Israel frequently claims its targets are Hezbollah militants and their infrastructure in southern Lebanon, which has endured heavy damage in recent conflicts. Despite a ceasefire, Hezbollah has only publicly acknowledged firing into Israeli territory once since the truce. However, Israel continues to accuse the group of attempting to rebuild its military capabilities.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri revealed that four of the victims, including the three children and their father, held US citizenship. However, the US State Department stated that none of the five appeared to be American citizens, though it added that the situation was still “fluid.”.
Since the ceasefire deal was brokered in November to end Israel’s protracted conflict with Hezbollah, Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon have continued almost daily.
Lebanese officials have warned that the ongoing strikes threaten the nation’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah and could destabilise the region further. Hezbollah maintains that it no longer has a military presence south of the Litani River and refuses to discuss disarmament until Israel halts its attacks and withdraws from southern Lebanon.
President Joseph Aoun, who arrived in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly, condemned the Israeli drone strike and urged the international community to pressure Israel to cease such actions. Aoun, along with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, supported a gradual disarmament agreement with Hezbollah last month.
The prolonged war between Israel and Hezbollah resulted in nearly 4,000 deaths in Lebanon and caused widespread displacement across southern and eastern parts of the country.
Hezbollah leaders argue that Israel’s ongoing strikes justify their refusal to disarm. They have also criticised the ceasefire agreement, asserting that the monitoring mechanisms involving the US, France, and UN peacekeepers have proven ineffective.
Under the current ceasefire terms brokered by Washington, both sides were supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon and halt attacks, but Israeli forces remain stationed at five strategic hilltops along the border.
