A series of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon on Monday resulted in four fatalities, including a Lebanese security officer and his three-year-old child, marking a significant escalation in cross-border tensions. The incidents occurred despite a ceasefire agreement established in November 2024 intended to halt prolonged hostilities with Hezbollah.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed conducting a targeted strike in the village of Yanuh, alleging it neutralized Ahmad Ali Salameh, whom they identified as Hezbollah’s head of artillery responsible for rebuilding the group’s military capabilities. However, the operation also claimed the lives of two unintended casualties: a member of Lebanon’s security forces and his young child who were reportedly passing through the area at the time of impact.
In a separate incident near the border village of Aita al-Shaab, Israeli gunfire killed another individual identified by Israel as a Hezbollah operative engaged in intelligence gathering and infrastructure rehabilitation activities. The Israeli military acknowledged civilian casualty reports from the Yanuh strike were ‘under review’ while defending the targeted nature of their operations.
These developments coincided with the alleged apprehension of Atwi Atwi, a Jamaa Islamiya official, by Israeli forces from his residence in Hasbaya district. The Islamist group, an ally of Palestinian Hamas, condemned what they termed an ‘infiltration by Israeli occupation forces,’ while Israel confirmed detaining ‘a senior terrorist’ for interrogation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who had just concluded a two-day visit to the conflict-ravaged south, denounced Atwi’s capture as ‘a blatant attack on Lebanese sovereignty’ and violation of both the ceasefire agreement and international law. Hezbollah lawmakers echoed these sentiments, demanding immediate governmental action at political, diplomatic, and legal levels to protect citizens.
The escalating situation highlights ongoing friction points including Israel’s maintained troop presence in five strategic border positions within Lebanese territory and unresolved disputes regarding Lebanese detainees. Hezbollah legislator Hussein al-Haj Hassan previously alleged Israel holds approximately 20 Lebanese prisoners, with half reportedly abducted post-ceasefire.
Lebanon’s government maintains that sustainable de-escalation requires Israel’s complete withdrawal from occupied border positions, cessation of aerial strikes, and release of all Lebanese detainees.