Beirut: One person was killed and two others injured in an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese border town of Khiam, according to reports. The strike followed the deployment of the Lebanese army in the area.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, labeling it Israel’s “treachery” and a breach of the ceasefire agreement. He urged the US and France, who brokered the ceasefire, to intervene against Israeli aggression. Mikati also criticized a committee monitoring the ceasefire for failing to prevent continued Israeli violations and called for immediate action to address these issues.
As part of their mission, the Lebanese army’s Engineering Regiment entered Khiam with bulldozers, troop carriers, and ambulances to clear the area of explosives and debris, coordinating with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
The ceasefire, which came into effect on November 27, was intended to stop over 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. It demands Israel withdraw from Lebanese territory within 60 days while the Lebanese army takes control along the border to ensure security and prevent armed presence. However, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have persisted, leading to casualties despite the ceasefire.