Israeli drone strike kills one, injures three, including child in south Lebanon

An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in the southern Lebanese town of Aitaroun on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring three others, including a child, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The strike, which hit the town located in the Bint Jbeil district near the Israeli border, marks yet another violation of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on 27 November.

In a separate incident, media affiliated with Hezbollah reported that an Israeli aircraft dropped a bomb near tobacco farmers in the area of Aita al-Shaab, also in southern Lebanon.

Israeli forces have killed dozens of civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect late last year, including women and children, according to the United Nations.

The UN rights office reported on Tuesday that Israeli military operations have continued to cause civilian casualties and damage in Lebanon over the four months since the fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah began.

"According to our initial review, at least 71 civilians have been killed by Israeli forces in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into effect," rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva.

"Among the victims are 14 women and 9 children," he said, calling for an immediate end to the violence.

The truce was reached after more than a year of cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which was followed by two months of full-scale conflict, during which Israel also deployed ground troops in the south.

Kheetan warned that months after the ceasefire was announced, fear and displacement persist in Lebanon, with over 92,000 people still unable to return to their homes.

He said Israeli strikes had hit civilian infrastructure, including homes, medical facilities, roads, and at least one cafe, since the ceasefire began.

Kheetan also noted that southern Beirut was struck in early April for the first time since the truce began, in two separate incidents near school buildings.

"A strike on a residential building in the early morning of April 1 killed two civilians and caused significant damage to nearby structures," he said.

Two days later, "Israeli airstrikes hit a newly established medical centre run by the Islamic Health Society in Naqoura, completely destroying the facility and damaging two ambulances."

He added that "multiple Israeli airstrikes on several towns in southern Lebanon reportedly killed at least six people" between 4 and 8 April.

Kheetan acknowledged that Israel had also been targeted since the ceasefire took effect. According to figures from the Israeli army, at least five rockets, two mortars, and a drone were launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis remain displaced from the north.

He urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.

"There must be prompt, independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law, and those found responsible must be held to account," Kheetan said.

Also on Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun visited the defence ministry, where he addressed the gravity of the challenges facing the Lebanese army.

"The responsibilities of the army are great and delicate, especially in these difficult circumstances that Lebanon is going through," Aoun said. "We will work to put the country back on track. The army, like other institutions, has a role to play in the recovery process that began with the reforms we launched, and we will continue along this path."

He pledged to support the army’s operational needs, saying: "I know your needs well and will work with you to meet them because I believe in your capabilities and in your ability to achieve significant accomplishments."

Aoun praised the military’s role in maintaining national unity, adding: "Lebanon has faced many challenges. Without this institution, the country would not have endured. So continue your work across Lebanon and for all Lebanese."

Following the visit, Aoun departed for Doha on an official trip to Qatar at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

He is accompanied by the Foreign Minister and Minister of Emigrants Affairs Youssef Raji. Lebanon’s ambassador to Qatar, Farah Berri, will join the official delegation in Doha.

The visit, which continues through Wednesday afternoon, will include a bilateral meeting between Aoun and Sheikh Tamim, as well as broader talks between Qatari and Lebanese officials.