Lebanese civilian injured by Israeli army despite ceasefire

By Hamdi Yılmaz and Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Lebanese civilian was injured by Israeli army fire in southern Lebanon on Sunday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement, the Health Ministry said.

A ministry statement said that a man sustained critical injuries when Israeli forces opened fire in the town of Kfarkela.

On Saturday night, Israeli warplanes launched more than 20 airstrikes in southern Lebanon, though no casualties were reported.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since Nov. 27, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.

Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 1,100 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of at least 85 people and injuries to more than 280 others.

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