Beirut, Lebanon – An Israeli air strike on southern Lebanon has killed one particular person and wounded one other, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Well being says, as Israel ramps up its cross-border assaults in defiance of a ceasefire.
The ministry mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday that an “Israeli enemy raid” struck a automobile within the city of Burj Rahal within the southern district of Tyre.
Beneficial Tales
listing of 4 objectsfinish of listing
“The assault resulted within the martyrdom of 1 citizen and the damage of one other,” the assertion learn, with out figuring out the lifeless.
Lebanon’s Nationwide Information Company mentioned the assault occurred close to a college, triggering panic amongst college students and prompting mother and father to hurry to gather their youngsters amid scenes of concern and chaos.
Ceasefire underneath pressure
The Israeli army didn’t instantly touch upon the strike, which was the newest in a collection of its assaults throughout southern Lebanon, regardless of a ceasefire signed on November 27, 2024.
Israeli forces stay deployed in a minimum of 5 areas of Lebanon’s south as they perform near-daily air raids that Israel says goal Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.
On Monday, two folks have been killed and 7 wounded in separate assaults in southern Lebanon. A day earlier, Israeli raids in Nabatieh killed 4 folks, in keeping with Lebanon’s Well being Ministry.
Inside Lebanon, the continued bombardment has heightened fears of a renewed struggle, as Israeli and United States officers press the Lebanese authorities to drive Hezbollah to disarm.
Israeli army intelligence has claimed in latest days that Hezbollah is making an attempt to rebuild its army capabilities. A Hezbollah spokesperson denied stories of expanded army exercise or makes an attempt to revive its elite items.
“Israel fabricates tales and claims to justify its assaults,” the spokesperson informed Lebanon’s L’Orient At present newspaper on Monday.
Hezbollah was severely weakened after the Israeli escalation in September 2024, which killed its longtime chief, Hassan Nasrallah. For the reason that November ceasefire, the group has responded to Israeli assaults solely as soon as.
Hezbollah officers have repeatedly mentioned the group is not going to disarm, saying that relinquishing its weapons would depart southern Lebanon uncovered to an Israeli invasion.
Baalbek nonetheless underneath fireplace
Almost a yr after Israel’s wide-scale bombing marketing campaign throughout Lebanon, residents within the jap Bekaa Valley say they’re nonetheless dwelling underneath persistent Israeli threats.
In Baalbek, a metropolis identified for its Roman ruins and thought of a part of Hezbollah’s heartland, Israeli strikes proceed to focus on what the Israeli army describes as Hezbollah’s “logistical and operational base”.
However many civilians additionally stay underneath fixed bombardment.
“What is occurring now isn’t in need of a struggle. It’s a struggle,” Abu Ali, a resident of Baalbek, informed Al Jazeera. “There may be a lot discuss focusing on Baalbek, and that is scaring folks away,” added one other resident, Ali Chokair.
A lot of the Bekaa area stays scarred by final yr’s Israeli strikes, leaving one in every of Lebanon’s poorest areas struggling to rebuild.
Lebanon underneath stress to barter
Israeli and US officers are urgent for Hezbollah’s disarmament, with US ambassador Tom Barrack urging the armed group to start a dialogue with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that the military would “act as crucial” if Lebanon failed to make sure Hezbollah handed over its weapons.
“We count on the Lebanese authorities to fulfil its dedication – to disarm Hezbollah – however it’s clear we are going to train our proper of self-defence underneath the phrases of the ceasefire,” he mentioned.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has mentioned the nation has “no selection however to barter” with Israel to keep away from a wider battle. However many in Baalbek and southern Lebanon oppose any talks that might result in Hezbollah’s disarmament,
Hussein Osman, who runs a restaurant in Baalbek, refused to flee when the Israeli military ordered residents to go away throughout final yr’s struggle. Like many Hezbollah supporters, he questions Lebanon’s choice to barter with Israel, which is attacking the area virtually on daily basis.
“We’d help any negotiation that works for the good thing about the resistance,” he mentioned. “However any negotiation that entails disarming the resistance is just not accepted … These weapons defend us and allowed us to remain in our properties.”
