A view of destroyed buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Saturday. AFP
Lebanon's health ministry reported on Saturday that Israeli strikes claimed the lives of six individuals in the country's south, just ten days after a ceasefire was established between the Hezbollah group and Israel. Both Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been accused of violating the truce that came into effect on November 27, which was intended to bring an end to a war that has resulted in thousands of deaths in Lebanon and massive displacements on both sides.
"The Israeli enemy's air strike on the town of Beit Lif led to the martyrdom of five people and the injury of five others," stated a health ministry release, further noting that a separate drone strike claimed one life in Deir Seryan. The two locations are over 20 km apart.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military confirmed it had targeted a Hezbollah militant in southern Lebanon, marking one of several operations conducted against "activities... that posed a threat" to Israel. "In one instance, the (military) identified a Hezbollah terrorist who posed a threat to the troops deployed in southern Lebanon in violation" of the ceasefire, the military elaborated, adding that the air force "struck the terrorist". Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that "an enemy drone targeted a motorcycle in Deir Seryan".
On Monday, the health ministry announced that Israeli strikes had claimed the lives of nine individuals in southern Lebanon, following Israel's assertion that it was targeting numerous Hezbollah objectives in retaliation for an attack claimed by the militant group. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the ceasefire was "holding" despite a series of incidents.
A committee, including France, UN peacekeepers, Israel, and Lebanon, and chaired by the United States, is responsible for maintaining communication between the various parties and ensuring that any violations are identified and addressed to prevent any escalation. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged "the international community, particularly the parties sponsoring security arrangements, to work seriously and decisively to halt the ongoing violations by the enemy, ensure its withdrawal from occupied territories, and actively contribute to implementing the ceasefire."
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