Israeli Drone Strike Kills Family in Southern Lebanon, Prompting US Action Demands
In a deadly incident, an Israeli drone strike in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, killed five individuals, including three children, heightening tensions despite an existing ceasefire brokered by the United States last November, reports 24brussels.
The attack occurred on Sunday, targeting a family vehicle. Among the deceased were a father and his 18-month-old twins, with the children’s mother and another daughter sustaining critical injuries. The Israeli military acknowledged civilian casualties but claimed the strike aimed at a suspected Hezbollah member, asserting that the attack was justified as targeting “a terrorist operating in a civilian population area.”
In response to the incident, Lebanese officials demanded immediate US intervention to ensure Israel adheres to the ceasefire. President Joseph Aoun met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Beirut, urging Washington to secure respect for the truce and to withdraw Israeli forces from occupied territories. Aoun described this moment as critical for achieving lasting peace in the region and intends to address the issue at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the strike as a “new massacre,” accusing Israel of intimidation against civilians returning to their homes in southern villages devastated by previous attacks. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reported that the victims were identified as US citizens, though a State Department spokesperson clarified that none held citizenship.
This incident comes amid calls from Israel, the US, Saudi Arabia, and the Lebanese government for the disarmament of Hezbollah. The group has resisted these demands, enduring significant losses to Israeli operations during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem recently appealed for reconciliation with Saudi Arabia to unify against Israeli actions, portraying the “resistance” axis as not the enemy. As tensions flare, Israeli forces have been active along the border. Reports indicate Israeli gunfire targeting the outskirts of Kfarchouba and drone operations over Maroun al-Ras, although no casualties have been reported from these activities.
