BEIRUT / ISTANBUL

An Israeli drone strike killed one person on Thursday in southern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement in place since late 2024, Lebanese media reported.

The state news agency NNA said the strike targeted a vehicle on a road linking the towns of Zaita and Banafoul in the Sidon district.

The attack came as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon that took effect in November 2024.

The identity of the person killed was not immediately known. However, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed on social media that the strike targeted a Hezbollah member.

Lebanese media said the strike was accompanied by intensive low-altitude drone flights over the surrounding area.

In recent weeks, Israeli media reported that the army has completed preparations for a potential large-scale attack against Hezbollah positions if the Lebanese government and army fail to dismantle the group’s weapons.

Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ministers that US President Donald Trump had given Israel a “green light” to launch an attack on Lebanon, citing Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm.

The ceasefire deal ended more than a year of cross-border attacks amid the war in Gaza. More than 4,000 people were killed, and 17,000 others were injured.

Under the ceasefire deal, the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon this January, but it only partially pulled out and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.