Israeli drones flew over Beirut in violation of cease-fire

BEIRUT

The Israeli army's drones on Wednesday flew over the Lebanese capital Beirut and its southern suburb in a new violation of a cease-fire deal that took effect last month, state media reported.

Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) said Wednesday morning that the Israeli drones flew at a low altitude over Beirut and its southern suburb area.

The new violation came as the Israeli army on Tuesday committed at least 12 violations to the cease-fire.

According to NNA, the violations concentrated in the districts of Tyre, Marjayoun and Hasbaiyya in southern Lebanon, and in the districts of Rachaiya and Western Bekaa in the country's east.

The violations included airstrikes, drones and fighter jet flights, destruction of homes, bulldozing streets and artillery shelling.

In the Tyre district, an Israeli drone strike targeted a car in the town of Majdalzoun, leaving three people injured.

The Israeli army also bulldozed a number of roads and destroyed a home in the town of Naqoura. Several homes were also destroyed in the town of Kfarkela.

While artillery struck the towns of Kfarshouba, Halta and Sheba in the Hasbaiyya district, warplanes flew over the districts of Rachaiya and Western Bekaa at a medium altitude.

Lebanese authorities have reported around 249 Israeli violations of the truce since it came into force on Nov. 27.

Since then, according to an Anadolu tally based on Health Ministry figures, at least 30 people have been killed and 37 others injured in Israeli attacks.

Under the terms of the cease-fire, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line - a de facto border - in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.

Over 4,000 people were killed and more than 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, and over 1 million others displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar