2 killed in new Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon amid ceasefire violations

By Wassim Samih Seifeddine and Betul Yilmaz

BEIRUT / ISTANBUL (AA) - Two people were killed and two others injured in fresh Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement, the Health Ministry said.

A ministry statement said that an Israeli drone hit a truck in Naqoura in the Tyre district, killing one person.

Another Israeli strike targeted a vehicle on the Toul-Kfour highway in Nabatieh, leaving another person dead and injuring two others.

Cross-border warfare between Israel and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon escalated into a full-scale war last September. Despite a November ceasefire, Israeli forces have carried out near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah activities.

Since then, Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 236 people and injuries to more than 540.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply.

Until now, Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.