The Lebanese army reported that three of its soldiers were killed early Thursday morning in an Israeli airstrike in the village of Yater, located in southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese military, the soldiers were evacuating wounded individuals when the strike occurred around 4:15 a.m. No immediate response was given by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which has previously stated it does not target the Lebanese army.
The incident occurred near Yater, a village that has seen multiple strikes by Israel over the past year, mainly targeting Hezbollah. According to the Lebanese army, the strike hit its personnel as they were assisting with the evacuation of the injured in the Bint Jbeil area, close to the Israeli border. In addition to the three soldiers, including an officer, paramedics attempting to rescue the wounded were reportedly injured in a second strike.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) also reported fatalities from an earlier strike on a house in the village. The latest strike comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly after Hezbollah began launching attacks on northern Israel following the Hamas-initiated assault on October 7.
The Lebanese army plays a crucial role in maintaining civil peace in Lebanon’s multi-sectarian society. However, it holds limited influence in southern Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold. Although the Lebanese army is tasked with enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for only the Lebanese Armed Forces to be armed in the south, the resolution has been largely unenforced since its 2006 passage, allowing Hezbollah to maintain significant military capabilities in the area.
Israel has positioned its offensive in southern Lebanon as filling the void left by the UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, which has been reluctant to confront Hezbollah. The Israeli strikes on the Lebanese army have raised concerns in the international community. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed “deep concern” over the strikes in a conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, urging Israel to ensure the safety of Lebanese forces and UN personnel.
Since September 23, at least 11 Lebanese soldiers have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire, according to an AFP tally based on army announcements. Israel’s offensive in Lebanon is aimed at securing its northern towns, which have been repeatedly targeted by cross-border rocket fire from Hezbollah. Thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from their homes due to the ongoing conflict.