Lebanese army reports Israeli incursion near border town

By Omar Alothmani and Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Lebanese army said Wednesday that Israeli forces breached the border near Naqoura in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, carving two roads into the Labbouneh area.

In a statement, the army command labeled the move part of Israel’s “persistent violations” of the ceasefire agreement and attacks on Lebanese sovereignty.

The statement detailed that a Lebanese army patrol responded by sealing the two roads with earthen barriers.

Additionally, another unit removed barbed wire previously set up by Israeli forces in the town of Aitaroun, Bint Jbeil further south, the army added.

A fragile ceasefire had been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities reported over 1,250 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of 100 people and injuries to more than 330.

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 it refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.