Syrian man injured in Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon

By Mohamed Majed and Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Syrian man was injured in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Sunday, in the latest breach of a ceasefire deal in place since November 2024, the Health Ministry said.

A ministry statement said the attack targeted the town of Maifadoun in Nabatieh, without giving further details.

Lebanon’s state news agency NNA said Israeli forces also shelled the outskirts of Ramyah, Beit Lif, and Yaroun towns in the Bint Jbeil district, sparking widespread fires in the forests.

Israel launched military assaults in Lebanon on Oct. 8, 2023, which escalated into a full-scale war by last September, killing more than 4,000 people and injuring around 17,000.

A ceasefire was reached in November, but Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target activities of the Hezbollah group.

Under the truce, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply. Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.