Israel Targets Hezbollah Operatives in Khiam Strike

The Israeli military has stated that a drone strike targeted Hezbollah militants in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam on Thursday, killing one person. The strike was swiftly condemned by Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati. The Israeli army claimed the attack was aimed at Hezbollah members posing a threat to Israeli citizens, violating agreements between Israel and Lebanon.

The strike occurred less than a day after Israeli forces handed control of Khiam to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, marking the first Israeli withdrawal from a Lebanese town since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah began two weeks ago. This move was seen as a critical test for the fragile truce. The Lebanese Health Ministry and state media did not provide specifics on the identity of the person killed but confirmed the airstrike.

Lebanese troops were deployed in northern Khiam, working with U.N. peacekeepers to oversee the final stages of Israel’s withdrawal and secure other areas. Mikati criticized Israel’s actions, calling the strike a breach of the ceasefire agreement and urging the mediators, the U.S. and France, to address Israel’s aggression.

Israel, however, maintains that its military actions are justified under the terms of the ceasefire, which allows for retaliation against violations. Since the ceasefire began, Israeli attacks, primarily in southern Lebanon, have resulted in at least 29 deaths and 27 injuries.

Khiam, located just 3 miles from the Israeli border, was a focal point of heavy fighting during the conflict. The Lebanese army is currently clearing debris and reopening roads in the northern part of the town while coordinating with U.N. peacekeepers to ensure the area is free of unexploded ordnance and accessible to civilians.