Beirut: One person was killed, and eight others were injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement, the Health Ministry said. A ministry statement noted that the casualties occurred during strikes targeting the Nabatieh province.
According to Anadolu Agency, the state news agency NNA reported that two waves of airstrikes hit the Ali al-Taher forest and a former archaeological site in Nabatieh. Israeli reconnaissance drones and fighter jets were also observed flying at medium altitude across several areas in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli army asserted that the airstrikes targeted an area allegedly used by Hezbollah to manage its fire and defense system, claiming that the site had been rendered inoperable. However, Hezbollah has not made any comments regarding the Israeli claims.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an immediate cessation of the Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. In a statement, Salam emphasized that the Lebanese government had made extensive diplomatic efforts to ensure the withdrawal of Israel and the cessation of its violations.
A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which had escalated into a full-scale conflict in September. Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 people and injuries to around 500 others.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel refused to comply. Currently, Israel maintains a military presence at five border outposts.