At least three people, including a senior figure from the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in southern Lebanon, in the latest blatant violation of a shaky ceasefire agreement with the Arab country.
Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television reported that an Israeli drone strike targeted an apartment on Dalaa Street in the Lebanese port city of Sidon, located 48 kilometers (29 miles) south of Beirut.
Hassan Farhat, a member of Hamas, and his son were reportedly killed in the airstrike.
Israeli military forces also launched hours-long raids on other regions in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Naqoura and Nabatieh, resulting in damage in the targeted areas and casualties.
Earlier, an Israeli airstrike had targeted the Wadi Azza area in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli airstrike on a car near the city of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon injured two people on Thursday morning.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji on Thursday urged the European Union to step up pressure on Israel to withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territories, cease attacks, and respect Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Rajji made the appeal during talks with Stefano Sannino, director-general for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Commission, who led an EU delegation visiting Beirut, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported.
The minister condemned Israel’s continued military aggression, including daily strikes in southern Lebanon and renewed attacks on Beirut.
Rajji also called for Israel’s adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and pressed the EU to take a firmer stance against the violations.
Israel had to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah following significant losses incurred over nearly 14 months of conflict, failing to achieve its goals in the onslaught against Lebanon. The ceasefire took effect on November 27.
Since the commencement of the agreement, the occupying forces have been carrying out near-daily assaults on Lebanon, breaching the ceasefire, which includes airstrikes throughout the Arab nation.
On January 27, Lebanon declared its decision to prolong the ceasefire with Israel until February 18.
Despite the February 18 deadline having passed, Israel persists in its occupation of five critical areas in southern Lebanon, which include Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, located near the border.
Lebanon has denounced the ongoing presence of Israeli military personnel, which constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement and the stipulated withdrawal timeline. High-ranking officials in Beirut have stated their intention to “employ all measures” necessary to expel the occupying forces from the Arab country.
