An Israeli drone strike near Beirut has resulted in at least one death and three injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. This incident marks a significant breach of the ceasefire that has been in place between Israel and Lebanon. The attack occurred on Thursday, targeting a vehicle on a busy highway in the Khaldeh area, located about 12 kilometers south of the Lebanese capital.
The Israeli military stated that the strike aimed at “military sites and weapons depots” in the region. This latest bombing represents an escalation in hostilities, as Israel has been conducting near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon since a truce with Hezbollah was established in November of the previous year.
The identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed. Al Jazeera’s correspondent, Zeina Khodr, reported that the air raid took place during rush hour, when many commuters were traveling from Beirut to southern Lebanon. She noted that while the Lebanese government seeks to halt these attacks, it has limited power to influence Israel’s actions. Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned group in Lebanon, faces a dilemma: if it retaliates, it risks provoking a severe response from Israel.
The Israeli military continued its operations later on Thursday, launching additional airstrikes across southern Lebanon, particularly targeting areas near Nabatieh. Lebanese officials have condemned these actions and have urged the United States and France, who helped broker the ceasefire, to intervene and stop the violations. However, diplomatic efforts have largely failed, and there is a noticeable reluctance among Western nations to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
The ongoing Israeli strikes are putting pressure on Hezbollah, which has already been weakened by previous confrontations with Israel. The group began targeting Israeli military positions at the border in October 2023, claiming it was supporting efforts to end the war in Gaza. Although the conflict remained mostly confined to border skirmishes for several months, Israel launched a significant offensive against Lebanon in September 2023, causing extensive damage, particularly in areas supportive of Hezbollah.
Despite the ceasefire reached in November, which aimed to stabilize the region, Israel has continued to occupy parts of southern Lebanon and conduct airstrikes, violating the terms of the agreement. Hezbollah has largely refrained from responding to these provocations, as has the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The recent attack in Khaldeh coincides with reports of a U.S. proposal suggesting that Hezbollah could disarm in exchange for an end to Israeli attacks and a full withdrawal from Lebanon. However, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, has rejected the idea of disarming, stating that the group will not be coerced into submission or give up its arms.
As tensions rise, it remains uncertain whether Hezbollah is prepared to escalate the conflict with Israel, given the heavy toll previous wars have taken on its military and civilian support base.