Israeli strike kills four in southern Lebanon during ceasefire
Lebanon’s state news agency said a drone hit a car in the Nabatieh area, killing a school principal, her mother and two others.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
An Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon killed at least four people on Monday, Lebanese state media said. The deaths came during a ceasefire that began just over two weeks ago and has been strained by continued attacks and rival accusations of violations.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency said the vehicle was hit in Nabatieh al-Fawqa as its passengers were returning from checking on a family home. The agency identified those killed as a school principal, her mother, a foreign domestic worker and a Syrian citizen.
The National News Agency said the car was targeted by an Israeli drone. Al Jazeera and AFP reported the account from Lebanese state media; there was no Israeli comment included in their report on the specific strike.
Ceasefire under pressure
Israel has continued to carry out periodic strikes in southern Lebanon, with the Nabatieh area among the places affected, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Israel has said its operations are aimed at Hezbollah positions and fighters.
Both Israel and Hezbollah have accused the other side of breaching the ceasefire, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. The truce in Lebanon started on June 21 after an agreement signed by the United States and Iran last month to end the wider regional war.
Hezbollah entered the US-Israel war with Iran on March 2 by launching rockets at Israel, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. The group said it acted in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the report said.
Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks since Hezbollah joined the war have killed at least 4,300 people, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. The same authorities said the conflict forced more than one million people from their homes.
The United Nations says more than 640,000 displaced people have returned to their homes in Lebanon since June 22, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Those returns began after the ceasefire took effect, even as intermittent strikes continued in parts of the south.
The strike on the vehicle adds to the civilian toll in southern Lebanon as residents try to assess damage and return to towns affected by the fighting. Lebanese state media said the four people killed had been checking on a family property when their car was hit.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.