Israeli drone strike kills 5, injures 4 in Tayr Debba

An Israeli drone targeted a van in the town of Tayr Debba in the Tyre district on Friday. According to the Health Ministry, the attack resulted in five fatalities and left four others injured.

The Israeli military stated that the strike occurred after individuals were observed loading weapons into a vehicle linked to Hezbollah. The army claimed the operation was aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by the weapons.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place since November 27, following over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which included two months of intense conflict with ground troop involvement. Under the terms of the truce, the Lebanese Army, alongside U.N. peacekeepers, is tasked with deploying in the south as the Israeli military withdraws over a 60-day period, set to conclude on January 26.

Hezbollah is required to pull its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border, and dismantle its remaining military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

The impending withdrawal deadline has sparked anxiety among many in Lebanon, who fear the potential for renewed violence. The Israeli military has repeatedly cautioned residents against returning to villages near the border.

The U.N. migration agency recently reported that over 120,000 people remain displaced within Lebanon, while Israeli officials stated that around 51,000 people are displaced from northern Israel.

Lebanese authorities estimate that since October 2023, more than 4,000 people have died as a result of the conflict, with the majority of fatalities occurring since September of last year, including some after the ceasefire. Both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement and have exchanged warnings in the aftermath of the truce.