Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut

Beirut, Jan 21: At least two people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, even as a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024 remains formally in place, Lebanese authorities said.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, one person was killed when an “Israeli enemy strike” targeted a vehicle in the town of Zahrani in the Sidon district, an area located well north of the Israeli border. An AFP correspondent reported seeing a charred vehicle on a main road, with debris scattered across the area as emergency personnel arrived at the scene.

In a separate incident later in the day, the ministry said another Israeli strike hit a vehicle in Bazuriyeh in the Tyre district, killing one more person.

The Israeli military said the strikes targeted operatives of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in both locations. It claimed the attacks were carried out in response to what it described as Hezbollah’s repeated violations of the ceasefire understandings.

Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes in Lebanon since the truce came into effect, often stating that it is targeting Hezbollah members or infrastructure. The strike in Zahrani was reported to have taken place north of the Litani River, beyond the zone where Lebanon’s army has begun disarmament operations.

Earlier this month, the Lebanese Army announced that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah in areas south of the Litani River, roughly 30 km from the Israeli border. However, Israel has criticised the army’s efforts as inadequate, accusing Hezbollah of rearming, while the group has rejected calls to hand over its weapons.

According to an AFP tally based on Lebanese health ministry data, more than 350 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into force.