Israeli Strikes Kill Three in Lebanon Despite Ceasefire

Israeli Strikes Kill Three in Lebanon Despite Ceasefire

Lebanon’s health ministry reported on Sunday that Israeli airstrikes on the country’s south and east had killed three people, despite an ongoing ceasefire. Israel said the strikes targeted two members of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Officials said one person was killed in an airstrike on a car in Naqoura, Tyre province, while another strike on a vehicle in Nabi Sheet, in the eastern Baalbek region, claimed a second life.

Later, a further strike on al-Hafir, also in Baalbek, killed a Syrian national and injured another Syrian.

Although a ceasefire has been in place for nearly a year, Israel has continued strikes in Lebanon, citing operations against Hezbollah positions.

The Israeli army said it killed Ali Hussein al-Mousawi in eastern Lebanon, describing him as “a weapons dealer and smuggler on behalf of Hezbollah.” Another Hezbollah member, Abd Mahmoud al-Sayed, was reportedly killed in southern Lebanon.

Israel has stepped up its operations in recent weeks, with multiple deadly attacks over the past few days.

Last week, a UN special rapporteur warned that Israeli strikes on apparently civilian vehicles in Lebanon could amount to war crimes, despite Israel’s claims of targeting militants.

Under last year’s ceasefire, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure in the south.Despite the agreement, Israel maintains troops at five strategic border points.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government, under US pressure and amid fears of further escalation, has moved to begin disarming Hezbollah, a plan opposed by the group and its allies.