SIDON, Lebanon: Israeli strikes killed two people in south Lebanon on Wednesday, authorities said, as Israel claimed to have targeted Hezbollah.
Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes in Lebanon despite a truce agreed in November 2024 that aimed to end more than a year of fighting with Hezbollah. Israel has said the attacks targeted members of Hezbollah or its infrastructure.
Lebanon’s health ministry said an “Israeli enemy strike” hit a vehicle in the town of Zahrani, in the Sidon district, killing one person. The area is located far from the Israeli border.
It added that a separate strike on a vehicle in the town of Bazuriyeh, in the Tyre district, also killed one person.
Israel said it had targeted operatives from Hezbollah in both locations, describing the attacks as “a response to Hezbollah’s repeated violations of the ceasefire understandings.”
Earlier this month, Lebanon’s army announced it had completed the first phase of a plan to disarm the group, covering areas south of the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border.
Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah was to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure dismantled in the evacuated areas.
Lebanon’s army said it would continue operations south of the Litani to “complete the disposal of unexploded ordnance” and search for tunnels dug by Hezbollah, taking measures to “permanently prevent armed groups from rebuilding their capabilities”.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of rearming and has said the army’s efforts are insufficient, while Hezbollah has rejected demands to hand over its weapons.
More than 350 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to the health ministry.
Despite the truce, Israel has also maintained troops in five south Lebanon areas it deems strategic.
