Beirut: Two people were killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire in place since late 2024, the Health Ministry said. A ministry statement cited by the state news agency NNA reported that an Israeli drone struck a car on a road between the towns of Khirbet Selm and Al-Jumayjimah in Bint Jbeil, resulting in the fatalities.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli army claimed that the attack targeted a Hezbollah operative in the Al-Jumayjimah area. However, Hezbollah has not made any comments regarding the Israeli claim.
In recent weeks, Israeli media reported that the Israeli army had completed preparations for a 'large-scale attack' against positions belonging to Hezbollah if the Lebanese government and army failed to dismantle the group's weapons. This development comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was reached in November 2024 after more than a year of cross-border attacks amid the war in Gaza. During this period, more than 4,000 people were killed, and 17,000 others were injured. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces were supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon in January but have only partially pulled out, maintaining a military presence at five border outposts.