Israeli airstrike kills several in south Lebanon as 'ceasefire' nears end date
Tel Aviv is pushing to maintain its occupation of five locations on the border with Lebanon after the extended truce comes to an end
At least three people were killed and five others injured, including two children, on 15 February in an Israeli airstrike targeting a car on the Jarjouh-Luwaizeh road in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region of south Lebanon.
According to the Israeli military, the strike targeted “a key member of Hezbollah's aerial unit.” The latest attack on Lebanese soil took place less than 72 hours before a unilaterally extended ceasefire comes to an end.
Tel Aviv also intensified its violations in the southern Lebanese towns of Kfar Kila and Yaroun on Saturday, detonating several residential homes using heavy explosives. Israeli attacks were also reported in the villages of Labouneh, Mays al-Jabal, and Houla.
Since a US-backed ceasefire agreement was put into effect in late November, the Israeli army has violated the terms of the deal hundreds of times, killing dozens of Lebanese citizens and injuring hundreds.
Under the original terms of the deal, the Israeli army had to withdraw from south Lebanon after 60 days. Nevertheless, the deadline was unilaterally extended with US support until 18 February.
The delay has prevented tens of thousands of Lebanese from returning home.
Israeli forces have also regularly bombed villages in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire went into effect.More than two dozen people were killed by Israeli forces last month while trying to return to their homes and villages.
Tel Aviv recently signaled it plans to maintain its occupation of several sites inside Lebanon. According to reports in Arabic media, Israeli authorities recently informed the Ceasefire Agreement Implementation Monitoring Committee of its decision to remain in five locations on the border after its withdrawal from several southern towns.
According to Al-Akhbar, the locations are Al-Labouneh, on the outskirts of Naqoura; Jal Al-Deir, on the outskirts of Aitaroun; Tallet Al-Hamams, opposite the settlement of Matla; Jabal Blat, between Marouhin and Ramyeh; and the outskirts of Markaba and Wadi Hunin.