Israeli strikes kill three in Lebanon before army targets UN patrol

Despite a ceasefire that began almost a year ago, three people have been killed by Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Israeli attacks on Sunday were initially reported by Lebanon’s authorities as two fatalities, but a second death was reported after a third attack.

In Naqoura, in the southern Tyre province of Naqoura, two of the victims passed away, while the third passed away in the eastern Baalbek region.

A Syrian national was among the victims, according to the Baalbek town of al-Hafir, according to the Health Ministry.

Hezbollah members were targeted by the Israeli military, according to the statement.

It claimed Ali Hussein al-Mousawi’s death in eastern Lebanon in a statement.

According to the Israeli army, Al-Mousawi “purchased and transferred weapons from Syria to Lebanon” and “significantly contributed to the re-establishment and strengthening of Hezbollah.”

In addition, the Naquoura strike claimed the life of local Hezbollah representative Abed Mahmoud al-Sayed from the village of Ras Biyada.

Hezbollah’s assertions regarding the alleged deaths were unconfirmed.

We don’t ask for anyone’s consent, they say.

11 months after Israel and Hezbollah’s conflict was ended by a ceasefire, the latest deaths occur.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that despite agreeing to ceasefires in both Lebanon and Gaza, his country would not seek approval for them.

Israel is a sovereign state. Netanyahu told government ministers, “We will defend ourselves by our own means and we will continue to decide our fate.”

“We don’t want this to get anyone’s vote.” He continued, “We control our security.”

His remarks came just before an Israeli drone was dropped close to one of its patrols on Sunday afternoon near Kfar Kila by the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been operating in southern Lebanon since 1978.

UNIFIL reported that an Israeli tank then fired a shot, but neither the tank’s personnel nor its assets were hurt.

UNIFIL stated in a statement on X that Israel’s attacks “infringed on Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty” and show disregard for the safety and security of peacekeepers carrying out Security Council mandated tasks in southern Lebanon.

A group of UN experts expressed concern over Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon last week.

According to them, “These attacks have caused an increasing number of civilian casualties, injuries, destruction, and damage to infrastructure, housing, the environment, and agricultural areas, which are essential to civilian livelihoods.”