Person killed in Israeli drone strike in south Lebanon, says Health Ministry

One person was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the southern Lebanese border town of Aita Al-Shaab, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Wednesday, a day after the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon. The ministry also said that two people were injured by Israeli gunfire in the southern town of Al-Wazzani.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, Reuters has reported.

The deadline was 18 February for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanese towns under a US-mediated ceasefire agreement which ended the war between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militia last year.

Israeli officials said that some of its forces would remain in five positions across the border temporarily, a move they said is deemed essential for the country’s security.

Hezbollah, which suffered significant losses during the war, said Israel was still occupying Lebanese land and that it held the Lebanese government responsible for a pull-out of all Israeli forces.

Israel had been due to withdraw by 26 January, but this was extended to 18 February after it accused Lebanon of failing to enforce the terms. Lebanon at the time accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal.

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