Israeli Strike Kills One in Southern Lebanon

Beirut: (Web Desk) – An Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon killed one person and wounded another on Sunday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, as Israel said it targeted Hezbollah-linked sites despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024.

In a brief statement, the health ministry reported that an “Israeli enemy raid” near Khirbet Selm resulted in one fatality, with the toll described as preliminary. The Israeli military said the strike targeted a Hezbollah weapons manufacturing facility in southern Lebanon, claiming it had identified militant activity at the site.

Israel also confirmed carrying out additional strikes on what it described as Hezbollah military infrastructure in the eastern Bekaa region. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the southern strike hit a hangar, while the attacks in the east targeted mountainous areas near the town of Nabi Sheet.

Israel has continued regular military operations in Lebanon since the ceasefire, frequently stating that the strikes are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities. Earlier this week, Israeli forces also hit four crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border, alleging they were being used to smuggle weapons for the Iran-backed group.

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Lebanon’s army said this month it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometres from the Israeli border. However, Israel has criticised the pace of disarmament as insufficient, while Hezbollah has rejected demands to relinquish its weapons.

According to an AFP tally based on Lebanese health ministry data, more than 350 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into effect.