Israeli drone strike kills 1 in southern Lebanon

By Jomaa Younis and Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - An Israeli drone strike killed one person in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam on Tuesday evening, in the latest violation of the November ceasefire, the Health Ministry said.

The ministry said the strike targeted the Mtal al-Jabal area in the town of Khiam.

State news agency NNA also reported another Israeli drone strike on a vehicle near a hospital in the town of Tebnine. No casualties were reported.

Cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024.

A ceasefire was reached in November, but still Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah’s activities.

Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 258 people and injuries to more than 562.

Under the truce, 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. Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.

US envoy Tom Barrack said on Monday that the ceasefire agreement “didn't work.”