Israeli forces raid southern Lebanon, killing local government worker
(MENAFN) Israeli forces conducted a nighttime incursion into a town in southern Lebanon, killing a municipal employee, amid a surge in Israeli operations across the country.
Troops, supported by drones and light armored vehicles, entered Blida and stormed the town hall, where Ibrahim Salameh was reportedly asleep, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.
The Israeli military described the operation as aimed at “dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure,” though no evidence was provided that the building was linked to the group.
Israel said its forces encountered a “suspect” inside and opened fire after perceiving an “immediate threat,” but it remains unclear whether Salameh was the intended target. The military has recently intensified strikes on locations and individuals it claims are connected to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia group.
Lebanese officials condemned the incursion. President Joseph Aoun ordered the Lebanese army to confront any Israeli violations in the south, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called the operation a “flagrant violation of Lebanese institutions and sovereignty” and pledged to press the UN and ceasefire guarantors to ensure Israel withdraws fully from Lebanese territory.
Protests erupted on Thursday in Blida and nearby towns, with demonstrators blocking roads with burning tires to condemn what they described as “blatant aggression” and criticize the state’s inability to protect civilians.
Reports also indicated a second Israeli operation overnight in the village of Adaisseh, where residents said troops destroyed a religious ceremonial hall. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes patrolled southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, and drones were observed hovering over Beirut’s southern suburbs.
US envoy Morgan Ortagus, speaking at a ceasefire monitoring meeting, welcomed Lebanon’s “decision to bring all weapons under state control by the end of the year” and emphasized the army must implement its plan fully. Under the ceasefire, Israeli troops are supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah is required to relocate north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure—conditions the group and its allies oppose. Only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers are authorized to deploy in the area south of the Litani, but Israel continues to hold positions at key border locations.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
