5 Dead in Drone Strikes as Israel’s Violations Persist in South Lebanon

An Israeli drone strike on Wednesday evening targeted the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, killing three civilians, according to media reports. Machinegun fire was also reported in the area. Earlier in the day, another Israeli drone strike hit a van traveling between the southern towns of Beit Leef and Sribbine, resulting in the death of Lebanese national Hamza Morshed Baddah, as reported by the National News Agency (NNA). Another drone strike earlier in the day targeted a house between Ainata and Bint Jbeil, killing one person and injuring another.

In Naqoura, Israeli forces blew up a home and conducted raids in the Wadi Hassan area between Majdal Zoun and Shihin, involving artillery shelling and machinegun fire. Additionally, a 15-member Israeli force entered a home in Burj al-Moulouk, searching the property, interrogating the residents, and confiscating their phones. The family was also ordered to evacuate and not return.

This escalation comes after months of cross-border exchanges, particularly following Hezbollah’s support of Hamas after the latter’s October 7 attack on Israel. While a ceasefire took effect on November 27, both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of violating the agreement. The ceasefire plan includes the Lebanese army deploying in the south, alongside UN peacekeepers, while Israeli forces gradually withdraw.

In a separate development, UN peacekeepers entered Khiam to verify Israel’s withdrawal. Additionally, international ambassadors met with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri to discuss the ongoing political deadlock in Lebanon, which has been without a president for over two years.