3 Lebanese soldiers killed in ammunition explosion in southern Lebanon

By Murat Basoglu and Mohammad Sio

BEIRUT (AA) – Three Lebanese soldiers were killed on Sunday in an ammunition explosion aboard a military vehicle in southern Lebanon, the army said.

A military statement said that several civilians were also injured in the blast that took place in the Braikeh area of Nabatieh province.

The army said the explosion occurred during the transfer of ammunition and that specialized units have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blast.

No further details were immediately released regarding the nature of the munitions or whether the explosion was accidental or linked to any external factors.

The explosion occurred as the Lebanese army continued to expand its presence in the south amid rising tensions with Israel.

According to the Lebanese daily An-Nahar, the blast took place on the Braikeh–Qsaybeh road, igniting a military vehicle loaded with munitions left over from Israeli military operations.

The explosion killed three soldiers and injured seven others, the newspaper said.

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

Lebanese authorities have reported more than 2,763 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 193 victims and injuries to 485 others.

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.