Three Killed in Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Amid Tensions with Hezbollah

Lebanon has reported three deaths in Israeli strikes near the Syrian border and in the country's south, as tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group remain high. The violence comes despite a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024, which aimed to end over a year of hostilities between the two sides.Israel has continued to launch strikes on Lebanon, citing national security concerns. The Israeli military claims to have targeted a member of Iran's elite Quds Force and a Hezbollah operative in the strikes. Lebanon's health ministry has confirmed two deaths in a strike in the town of Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali, while a third person was killed in an Israeli strike in Majdal Selm in the country's south.The Israeli military has identified the Quds Force member as Hussein Mahmud Marshad al-Jawhari, who was allegedly involved in terror activities directed by Iran against Israel. A Hezbollah terrorist was also killed in the strikes, according to the Israeli military. The violence has raised concerns about the effectiveness of Lebanon's military and the potential for expanded Israeli strikes.On the ground, Lebanon's army is working to disarm Hezbollah, starting with the south. The army plans to complete the disarmament process by the end of the year, but Israel has questioned the military's effectiveness and accused Hezbollah of rearming. The group has rejected calls to surrender its weapons. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 340 people in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to an AFP tally.