Arabic version: غارة بطائرة مسيرة إسرائيلية تودي بحياة شخصين في جنوب لبنان
An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon has killed at least two people despite fighting between Israel and Hezbollah quieting down in recent days after demands by both the United States and Iran for a ceasefire. The attack occurred on June 23, targeting a vehicle on the Tallat al-Dabsha road near Kfar Reman, as reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). Soon after, Israel’s military also shelled the outskirts of the town of Yater in the Bint Jbeil area.
According to Al Jazeera, this incident marks a violation of a renewed ceasefire that was established last week. The Israeli army stated that the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah operatives in the region. The ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory by Israel continues to be a contentious issue as negotiations in Washington proceed.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the military will not withdraw from Lebanon, regardless of American demands. He asserted that the presence of Israeli troops is necessary to prevent attacks on soldiers, stating, “200,000 residents will not return” to their homes until Hezbollah is fully disarmed.
Reporting from Tyre, Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett noted that while Israeli military activity has decreased, it has not ceased entirely. Many people originally from southern Lebanon have begun returning home, with local officials indicating that around 80 percent of residents in the town of Abbasiyeh have returned in recent days. However, the situation remains precarious, with ongoing threats of violence.
In Washington, discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials are expected to include military arrangements, potentially allowing Lebanese forces to replace Israeli troops, provided they are vetted by the United States. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the Lebanese army would be deployed in the south after Israeli withdrawal, with plans for reconstruction to follow. Hezbollah has condemned the talks, demanding the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces first.
