UPDATE - Israeli strikes kill civilian, injure 6 more in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire

UPDATES WITH STRIKES, INJURIES, ISRAEL'S REACTION; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – One civilian was killed and six others injured in four Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, in the latest violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the Lebanese authorities said.

An Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in the Bint Jbeil district of Nabatieh Governorate, killing one person and injuring two others, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said in a statement carried by the official National News Agency (NNA).

A separate Israeli strike on a house in the Chebaa area of the Hasbaiyya district wounded another person, the ministry said.

Two more people were seriously injured in a third attack targeting a vehicle in the town of Chaqra, also in the Bint Jbeil district, according to the ministry.

A fourth strike hit another civilian vehicle in Bint Jbeil, injuring one more person, the ministry said.

Israeli army radio confirmed the four strikes in southern Lebanon, claiming that four Hezbollah "operatives" were targeted and one was killed.

Israel launched an assault on Lebanon on Oct. 8, 2023, escalating into a full-scale war by Sept. 23, 2024. More than 4,000 people have been killed, over 17,000 wounded, and nearly 1.4 million displaced, according to official data.

Despite a ceasefire reached last November, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, saying they are targeting Hezbollah’s activities.

Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 215 people and injuries to more than 500, since the agreement was signed.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israel was to withdraw fully from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. Israeli forces continue to maintain a presence at five border outposts.