At least one individual has lost their life following an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon, as reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA). This incident underscores a troubling trend of escalating violence, occurring despite a ceasefire that was supposed to bring an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
The drone strike, which took place on a Monday, targeted an excavator in the Shamsiyah area of Sohmor within the Bekaa Valley, leading to the death of the vehicle’s operator. Disturbing footage circulated on social media, later verified by Al Jazeera, depicted emergency responders carrying the victim away on a stretcher, highlighting the human cost of these ongoing conflicts.
Local media outlets have reported a significant Israeli aerial presence, with dozens of drones flying at low altitudes over various villages in southern and eastern Lebanon. On the same day as the fatal strike, one drone targeted the town of Aitaroun, while another bombed a house in Houmin al-Fauqa, though no casualties were reported from these attacks.
Since the ceasefire was enacted on November 27, more than 150 individuals have reportedly died as a result of Israeli strikes in Lebanon. This ceasefire was intended to halt the violence that had persisted for nearly two months, during which Israel’s military actions resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 people, severely degrading Hezbollah’s military capabilities and decapitating its leadership.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, which mandated Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory, Israeli forces remain entrenched in at least five positions along the border. Reports from the NNA indicated a “series” of raids over the weekend in areas such as the Medena Plain, Kfar Rumman, and Jarmaq, alongside further strikes targeting residential areas.
Earlier this month, an Israeli attack in the southern city of Bint Jbeil resulted in the deaths of five individuals, three of whom were children. While Israel’s military claimed the strike was aimed at a Hezbollah member, they also acknowledged that “several uninvolved civilians were killed,” raising serious questions about the targeted nature of their operations.
Israel’s ongoing military presence in Lebanon has been justified by its government through the assertion that Hezbollah must first disarm. This demand has been firmly rejected by the Lebanese group, which views its military capabilities as essential for national security.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, faces mounting political and diplomatic pressure to disarm, particularly from Israel and its key ally, the United States. The group’s recent military actions against Israel have been framed as expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, a region that has seen over 66,000 casualties during Israel’s two-year-long military campaign.
In September, the Lebanese government assigned the military the task of formulating a disarmament plan, reflecting increasing international pressure. However, U.S. Special Envoy for Syrian Affairs, Tom Barrack, noted the complexities involved, citing Hezbollah’s entrenched political role in Lebanon. He stated, “Convincing Hezbollah to give up its weapons is the job of the Lebanese government, and the United States is not interested in pressuring anybody.”
Despite these pressures, the U.S. Department of Defense recently announced $14.2 million in aid for the Lebanese army, aimed at enhancing its capabilities to “degrade Hezbollah.” This move is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. administration to counter Iranian-backed armed groups throughout the region.
In response to ongoing disarmament discussions, Hezbollah has firmly rejected any notion of relinquishing its weapons, framing such suggestions as a ploy orchestrated by the U.S. and Israel to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty. During a speech in Beirut, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem addressed thousands of supporters gathered at the tomb of the group’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining military capabilities despite heavy losses.
“We will never abandon our weapons, nor will we relinquish them,” Qassem declared, vowing to resist any initiatives that serve the interests of Israel. He emphasized that disarmament under the current circumstances would render Lebanon vulnerable to further aggression, illustrating the complexities and deep-rooted tensions that continue to shape the region’s security landscape.
