Several injured in Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire

ISTANBUL

An Israeli drone launched an airstrike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement.

Several people were injured when a drone fired a missile into a car in the town of Aita Al-Shaab, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

No details were yet available about the people inside the targeted vehicle.

Israeli warplanes also flew at medium altitude over the cities of Baalbek and Hermel in eastern Lebanon and the southern city of Tyre, the broadcaster said.

Sunday’s attack came hours after an Israeli tank shell hit a café in the al-Matl area of Aita al-Shaab, causing significant damage.

On Saturday, at least seven people were killed and 40 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon following rocket fire from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the rocket fire.

A fragile ceasefire had been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group, Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities reported nearly 1,100 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of over 90 victims and injuries to more than 280.

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.