Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed nine people this Saturday, 6, including three members of the Lebanese army, the country’s army and state media reported, days after both parties reached a new ceasefire agreement.
The army said an air strike on a vehicle on a road connecting the city of Nabatiyeh with the town of Marjayoun killed a brigadier general, a captain and another soldier, without immediately releasing their names. Another airstrike on the southern village of Saksakiyah killed six people and injured four, the state-run National News Agency reported.
“The continued, deliberate and repeated Israeli attack against Lebanon, its people and its army only strengthens our determination, faith and resolve,” the army said in its statement, which added that Israel’s attacks seek to thwart all efforts “to reach a solution that restores stability, establishes a full ceasefire and leads to the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories.”
The Israeli army confirmed that it attacked a vehicle and indicated that the incident was being reviewed. The statement added that the vehicle was “moving suspiciously” towards Israeli soldiers near the village of Kfar Tibnit, after the army received “concrete indications” that Hezbollah would direct fire at Israeli soldiers in the same area.
The army stated that it operates against the political-paramilitary group Hezbollah and not against the Lebanese army.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the attack “a flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law.” He stated that it occurred in the context of “a continued escalation that threatens stability and security in southern Lebanon, despite the efforts that Lebanon is making in negotiations in Washington to put an end to continued Israeli attacks without deterrence.”
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