Israeli airstrike in Lebanon kills one, violating 2024 ceasefire

The Israeli army announced it conducted an airstrike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, claiming the death of a Hezbollah member and violating the terms of a ceasefire agreement that has been in place since late 2024. The attack targeted the Yater area in the Bint Jbeil district.

Lebanese Health Ministry Confirms Casualties

Confirming the violence, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that one person was killed and two others were injured in strikes that hit a car and a motorcycle in Yater. The Israeli military statement alleged the targeted individual was involved in efforts to restore Hezbollah's military infrastructure in the region. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on the incident.

Ceasefire Under Strain Amid Partial Withdrawal

This incident follows another claimed Israeli attack last week that reportedly killed four Hezbollah members. The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, established in November 2024 after over a year of cross-border clashes linked to the war in Gaza, stipulated a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January. However, Israeli forces have only partially withdrawn, maintaining a presence at several border outposts.

Regional Context of Persistent Tension

The persistent strikes and delayed pullback underscore the fragility of the truce in Lebanon. The earlier conflict period resulted in significant casualties, with more than 4,000 people killed and 17,000 injured. These ongoing violations threaten to reignite broader hostilities along the volatile Israel-Lebanon frontier.