Lebanon says Israeli strike on south kills one

BEIRUT,

An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed one person and wounded another on Wednesday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, as Israel warned it would intensify its attacks on Hezbollah.

In a statement, the ministry said that an "Israeli enemy strike" on a vehicle in Burj Rahal in the country’s south killed one person and wounded another.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the strike landed on a road and near a school, causing "panic and terror" among the pupils.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.

Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire intended to end over a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, with attacks escalating in recent days.

It warned on Sunday that it would intensify its operations against the group, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claiming Hezbollah was "playing with fire, and the President of Lebanon is dragging his feet."

Hezbollah was badly weakened during the war, and the United States has pressured Lebanon to disarm the Iran-backed group.

On Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated his call for negotiations with Israel, saying the latter "has not yet defined its position and continues its attacks."