Israel continued its airstrikes on southern Lebanon despite a memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the US, which called for a ceasefire on all fronts including Lebanon.
Reports indicate that three individuals were killed in Israeli strikes on Thursday in southern Lebanese towns, including Ali Taher and Kfartebnit. According to the National News Agency, two people were killed by a drone strike targeting a car in the town of Kfartebnit.
"World Champion"
Among the victims was an expatriate who had returned from Gabon, and another was a 'world champion in cycling competitions with international medals.' They had entered the village to inspect it. Moreover, a 'young man was killed in the town of Zadbeen during a dawn drone strike.'
The Israeli army announced the death of one of its soldiers and injuries to seven others 'during combat' in southern Lebanon.
"Security Zone"
The Israeli army confirmed it would continue its operations in southern Lebanon and released a map of what it described as the 'security zone' extending approximately 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, stating its forces were deployed there 'to remove threats and strengthen the defense of northern Israel's residents.'
Since the announcement of an understanding between Washington and Tehran last Monday, the frequency of attacks and military operations has decreased but not ceased completely.
Hezbollah has not announced any attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon or northern Israel.
The memorandum of understanding signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Bezshikian on Wednesday evening called for an 'immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.'
The war in Lebanon erupted after Hezbollah launched rockets on Israel in response to the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an initial US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28. Israel responded with a broad campaign of airstrikes on southern towns, as well as the Bekaa Valley and Beirut, and its forces entered dozens of southern villages.
Since March 2, the war in Lebanon has resulted in over 3,800 deaths, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
On the Israeli side, 31 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed, as reported by AFP.