Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday resulted in the deaths of two individuals, as reported by state media and the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The Israeli military confirmed that its operations were aimed at members of the Hezbollah organization.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that one of the victims, identified as Abbas Hassan Karky, was hit by an Israeli drone strike while driving on the road to the village of Toul, near Nabatieh. The Israeli army subsequently stated that Karky was “the logistics commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front headquarters,” alleging that he had played a key role in rebuilding Hezbollah’s military capabilities in the aftermath of last year’s conflict with Israel.
The military further claimed that he was responsible for overseeing the transfer and storage of weapons in southern Lebanon. In a second strike in the same vicinity, another operation reportedly targeted a vehicle, resulting in one death and another person being wounded.
The Israeli army reiterated its focus on targeting individuals involved with Hezbollah, characterizing them as threats to national security. These strikes come in the wake of earlier attacks in the region, which resulted in the deaths of four people, including an elderly woman. In those incidents, the Israeli military stated that it targeted various sites, such as a camp used for training Hezbollah militants.
These developments suggest an ongoing cycle of violence despite a ceasefire agreement established in November 2024, which aimed to end protracted hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement included stipulations for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, alongside Hezbollah’s commitment to retreat north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure in the southern region.
However, tensions remain high as the Lebanese government faces pressure from the United States to initiate the disarmament of Hezbollah, a move that the group and its allies strongly oppose. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam recently met with US General Joseph Clearfield, who heads the ceasefire monitoring committee, affirming Lebanon’s commitment to completing the disarmament process by year’s end. In exchange, Salam called for the Israeli military to fulfill its obligations by withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territories and halting its airstrikes.
Despite these negotiations and the ceasefire terms, Israeli forces continue to maintain their presence at five strategic border points, exacerbating an already tense situation between the two nations.
