Ahmed Asmar
12 March 2025•Update: 12 March 2025
ANKARA
Israeli drones violated Lebanese airspace on Wednesday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement.
Drones flew at low altitude over the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs and Hermel town and its surrounding villages in eastern Lebanon, the state news agency NNA reported.
Israeli forces also conducted a sweeping operation using machine guns on Hamamis Hill in Marjeyoun in southern Lebanon, NNA said.
The violations came a day after Israel handed over four Lebanese citizens held by Tel Aviv to the Red Cross on Tuesday. A fifth Lebanese prisoner is expected to be released later on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the release “a goodwill gesture” toward Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun, according to a statement from his office.
There is no information available regarding the total number of Lebanese prisoners currently held by Israel.
Lebanon continues to demand Israeli withdrawal from five border outposts and the release of Lebanese prisoners who were taken during the recent conflict with Hezbollah.
A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November 2024, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.
Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.
Lebanese authorities reported nearly 1,100 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of at least 85 people and injuries to more than 280 others.
