Israel continues with its attacks across southern Lebanon today, with a strike against a car in Bint Jbeil killing one civilian, according to reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry. Reportedly the owner of the car and presumptive death was a union worker for the Union of Bint Jbeil Municipalities.
The victim had been meeting with UNIFIL personnel earlier in the day, and the attack happened immediately after he left the meeting and got in his car. UN personnel had left the area, and were not present at the attack.
This marks 5,298 violations of the ceasefire by Israeli forces since it went into effect in November of last year. This has included several hundred death, and Israeli troops continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon to this day. The UN confirmed last week that 114 of the slain were civilians, but that number is potentially even higher.
Southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh Governorate during the ceasefire ©MSF
Other strikes were reported against the town of Blida, with no casualties there. A drone strike on the outskirts of Kfar Shouba wounded a shepherd and killed around 30 sheep, according to reports. The IDF has not commented on the incident.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem issued a statement Monday criticizing Israel and the US for their efforts to destabilize Lebanon after the 2024 war, citing Israel’s military escalation and the US policies that have harmed the Lebanese economy.
Lebanese Army Chief Rodolphe Haykal was meant to visit the United States this week, but that visit has been canceled following statements from US senators condemning the Lebanese military and expressing opposition to planned military aid to Lebanon.
Sen. Lindsey Graham slammed Haykal as “weak” and expressed anger that Haykal had referred to Israel, who invaded Lebanon a year ago and is still occupying their territory as “the enemy” in past comments. Other senators attacked Haykal for “shamefully directing blame at Israel” for the Israeli invasion.
Details on the cancellation are still emerging, but reportedly the US had canceled some of Haykal’s planned meetings ahead of his visit because of Senate opposition and he responded by canceling the trip altogether.
