Israeli airstrike kills Lebanese national in southern town of Borj El Mlouk

By Rasa Evrensel and Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Lebanese citizen was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, in yet another violation of the November ceasefire.

The strike was on a vehicle in the town of Borj El Mlouk, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone had two occupants, according to state news agency NNA.

The Israeli army, meanwhile, claimed it targeted a Hezbollah operative in the attack in Kfar Kila municipality.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November 2024, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 1,100 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 85 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.