Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon kills one, wounds seven

An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon has left one person dead and seven others wounded after targeting a car on a roadway. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the casualties from the attack in the Nabatieh district, which reportedly set the vehicle ablaze. This incident represents a significant escalation in a region where tensions have been steadily rising.

Details of the Attack and a Separate Incident

According to Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA), the strike precisely hit the car at the al-Dweir eastern junction. In a separate but related event, the NNA reported another Israeli drone deployed a munition near a bulldozer in the Khiam area of the Marjayoun district. No injuries were reported from this second attack, though it underscores the continued military activity in the region.

Ceasefire Violations and Mounting Tensions

The drone strike took place despite a ceasefire that has been nominally in effect since November 2024. Recent weeks have seen an intensification of near-daily Israeli air raids inside Lebanese territory. Reports from Israeli media last week indicated that Tel Aviv is considering a further escalation of its military operations within Lebanon, allegedly to counter the capabilities of Hezbollah.

Broader Conflict Context and Stalled Withdrawal

The broader conflict, which escalated into a full-scale Israeli offensive in September 2024, has resulted in a significant number of casualties in Lebanon. The current ceasefire agreement had stipulated a full Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January of this year. However, this withdrawal has only been partial, with Israeli forces maintaining a presence at several border outposts, contributing to the ongoing instability.