Israeli Airstrikes Kill Three People in Southern Lebanon

Beirut: Three people were killed in southern Lebanon on Saturday after Israeli airstrikes targeted the region, according to local authorities.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that two of the victims were brothers from the town of Shebaa. They were driving on a road on the slopes of Mt. Hermon when their SUV caught fire after the strike, resulting in their deaths.

The country’s health ministry later confirmed the deaths and said another airstrike on a car in the village of Baraashit killed one more person and injured four others.

The Israeli military claimed that the strikes targeted people linked to Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance group. It stated that the victims posed a threat to a ceasefire agreement signed in 2024 between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has frequently used similar reasons to justify attacks on Lebanon since the agreement.

Earlier this week, seven people were injured in southern Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil city during a drone attack by Israel. The strikes come after Israeli media reported that the military warned it would carry out a “wide-scale operation” if Hezbollah attacked.

Israel continues to pressure Lebanon, especially through its ally the United States, to disarm Hezbollah. The group, which has defended Lebanon in multiple conflicts with Israel, has refused to give up its weapons and said it will continue defending the country against Israeli threats.

The situation has increased tensions in the region, with residents and officials calling for restraint and protection of civilians.