Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill two people as military targets Hezbollah members, escalating hostilities despite 2024 ceasefire
BEIRUT: Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed two people and wounded seven others on Monday according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The Israeli military confirmed it killed two members of Hezbollah during these operations.
Israel has threatened in recent days to expand its attacks against the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group.
A preliminary ministry report stated an Israeli enemy strike on Doueir town in Nabatiyeh district killed one person and wounded seven others.
A second strike on Aita al-Shaab in Bint Jbeil district killed another person according to the same ministry source.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported an Israeli drone targeted a car in Doueir causing it to catch fire.
The Israeli military identified one of those killed as Mohammed Ali Hadid alleging he was a commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force.
They claimed he was attempting to reestablish Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in the Nabatieh area.
Regarding the Aita al-Shaab strike the army said it killed a Hezbollah member observed attempting to gather intelligence on Israeli troops.
An AFP photographer in Doueir witnessed firefighters extinguishing flames in the targeted vehicle and approximately five other damaged cars.
The photographer also observed workers removing shattered glass from shops damaged by the blast.
The National News Agency confirmed the strike caused significant damage to a local shopping centre.
Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end over a year of hostilities with Hezbollah.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Sunday that Israel would intensify attacks against the group.
Katz claimed Hezbollah was playing with fire and accused Lebanon’s president of dragging his feet.
Hezbollah was significantly weakened during the recent war according to military analysts.
The United States has pressured Lebanon to disarm the Iran-backed group as part of diplomatic efforts.
On Saturday four people were killed in another Israeli strike on a car in Nabatiyeh district according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel on Friday of responding to his negotiation offer by intensifying air strikes.
While Lebanese authorities have held indirect talks with Israel previously the situation remains tense.
US envoy Tom Barrack told reporters in Bahrain on Saturday that America was pushing for direct negotiations between the parties. – AFP
