Israeli drone strike kills father and son in southern Lebanon

An Israeli strike killed a father and son Tuesday in a southern Lebanese village, the country's health ministry and state media said, despite a November ceasefire.

A second son was also wounded in the strike in Shebaa, the state-run National News Agency reported.

"An Israeli enemy drone carried out a strike in the village of Shebaa, killing two people and wounding one," a health ministry statement said.

The incident is the latest in a string of Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon.

On Monday, Israeli forces carried out strikes in Ras al-Naqoura, Rmaych, and Aita al-Shaab. Drones also launched missiles at a vehicle travelling on the Wadi al–Nmeyriyeh–Zefta road.

Later that evening, Lebanese media reported that 20 Israeli soldiers had crossed the Blue Line in Kroum al-Mrah near Meiss al-Jabal and conducted a brief survey of Lebanese territory before withdrawing.

Israel’s military escalation comes amid growing pressure on Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal. Since the ceasefire came into effect on 27 November, Israeli forces have carried out more than 3,500 violations, according to Lebanese sources, killing 174 people and injuring over 400.

Among the most severe recent attacks was last Thursday’s strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which destroyed nine residential buildings and damaged more than 70 others, according to the Beirut Reconstruction Committee. At least 50 cars and 177 businesses were also affected.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes as a "flagrant violation" of the November 27 ceasefire agreement, which was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah that culminated in two months of full-blown war.

Meanwhile, French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Beirut on Tuesday for talks with Lebanese officials, though not President Aoun, who is currently in Jordan.

Lebanese sources told The New Arab that Beirut had sought to urge France to ramp up international pressure on Israel to halt its attacks, withdraw from occupied Lebanese positions, and release detained Lebanese nationals.

Tensions rise over UN peacekeepers

Separately, tensions flared in the southern town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr when a civilian slapped a UN peacekeeper during a confrontation with a UNIFIL patrol. The clash is the latest in a growing number of incidents between residents and the peacekeeping force, often sparked by patrols operating without Lebanese army escorts.

UNIFIL confirmed that its soldiers were met by civilians who threw stones and physically assaulted one peacekeeper during a planned patrol coordinated with the Lebanese army.

"Non-lethal measures were used to protect the patrol, and the army arrived shortly after to help contain the situation," the statement said.

UNIFIL stressed that freedom of movement was essential for fulfilling its UN Security Council mandate and warned that any obstruction violates Resolution 1701. It urged Lebanese authorities to ensure the force can operate safely and without interference.

PM says Lebanon dismantled over 500 Hezbollah sites

At a reconstruction conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that Lebanon was committed to all international resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and reiterated that only the state should hold weapons and make decisions on war and peace.

Salam revealed that Lebanon had dismantled more than 500 Hezbollah military sites and arms depots south of the Litani River, and taken steps to enhance border security and combat smuggling.

He also said Beirut airport had seen major security upgrades, including the arrest of suspects who attacked UNIFIL troops near the site.

"At the same time, we are working diplomatically to stop Israeli aggression and ensure full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, including five positions it continues to occupy illegally," Salam said.

He stressed that restoring full Lebanese sovereignty was key to encouraging investment and rebuilding international trust.