Lebanese civilian injured by Israeli gunfire amid ceasefire violations

By Wassim Seifeddine and Rania Abu Shamala

BEIRUT (AA) – A Lebanese civilian was injured by Israeli army fire in southern Lebanon on Monday despite a ceasefire agreement, local media said.

The state news agency NNA said a man was injured in his leg and hospitalized after Israeli forces opened fire in the border town of Kfarkela.

According to the broadcaster, an Israeli drone has hovered over the towns of Mansouri and Bayt al-Siyad in southern Lebanon and aired an “inciting message,” without giving any details.

Monday’s attack came in violation of the ceasefire agreement that has been in place since Nov. 27, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.

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, as it still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.