The army stated in a statement that “the Defense Army attacked earlier today, eliminating the terrorist Amer Hael Qusaybani, the commander of the Sinai Complex in Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.” It added that “another raid targeted a terrorist in the Radwan force in the Tebnine area in southern Lebanon.” The Israeli army announced on Friday that in southern Lebanon, the attacks led to the killing of leaders within Hezbollah, marking a new escalation on the Lebanese front.
Lebanese authorities affirm that Israel continues to systematically violate Lebanon’s sovereignty, despite the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024. The Israeli army was supposed to complete its withdrawal from the areas it occupied in southern Lebanon by the dawn of January 26, according to a deadline set in the agreement for 60 days. However, Israel did not adhere to the deadline, and Washington later announced an extension of the deadline by an Israeli-Lebanese agreement until February 18.
Beirut states that the Israeli army remains, including the northern part of the village of Ghajar, which it considers a continuous occupation and a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israeli strikes since November 2024 have resulted in the death of more than 235 people and injuries to more than 500 others.
On February 18, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces would remain in a “buffer zone” in Lebanon at five observation points along the border line “to ensure the protection of northern settlements.” Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally launches strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are to eliminate “Hezbollah threats.”
