A Lebanese brigadier-general and two other soldiers were killed after Israeli forces attacked their car in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they are investigating the incident. The Lebanese Army described the strike as 'aggressive and barbaric'. A brigadier-general, a captain, and a private lost their lives. The IDF stated the vehicle was moving suspiciously towards their forces. Gunfire was heard in the area.
This deadly strike happens while Israel and Lebanon are involved in complex negotiations for a ceasefire. However, ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, continues. Hezbollah has launched rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel from southern Lebanon. The IDF reported striking around 150 Hezbollah infrastructure sites over the weekend. These sites included weapon storage and command centres. The attack on the Lebanese army vehicle occurred near Kfar Tebnit. This area is close to Nabatieh, a city experiencing intense fighting and displacement.
The IDF claims the struck vehicle was in an 'active and evacuated combat zone'. They believe Hezbollah operates from such areas. The army stated that troop movements need coordination with the IDF. They reiterated their targets are Hezbollah, not the Lebanese Army. The Lebanese Army reacted with strong condemnation. They accused Israel of 'brutal, deliberate and repeated aggression'. Images of the burnt car wreckage were shared. The victims were identified as Brig Gen Samer Sabra, Cpt Elie Khoury, and Pte Hassan Ghazal.
News of this attack follows Hezbollah's rejection of a US-backed ceasefire. This deal was for Israel and Lebanon, not involving Hezbollah directly. The agreement aimed to stop Israeli attacks on Beirut if Hezbollah also ceased attacks. It also planned for security zones in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem called the talks 'futile'. The Lebanese government wants to end the fighting. They believe a ceasefire is needed for their forces to disarm Hezbollah. Israel doubts the Lebanese government's ability to do this.
US President Donald Trump has tried to ease the Lebanon conflict. His goal is to reach an agreement with Iran. Iran links its own deals with the US and Israel to halting action against Hezbollah. Lebanon entered the wider conflict on March 2. Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel after an Israeli strike killed Iran's supreme leader. Israel responded with air strikes and a ground invasion. An initial ceasefire in April failed to stop the violence. Israeli strikes have mostly targeted southern Lebanon recently. However, strikes have also occurred in eastern Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced intensified operations on May 26.
According to Lebanon's health ministry, at least 3,550 people have died. These figures do not separate combatants from civilians. Israel reports 26 soldiers and 4 civilians killed. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told CNN the people are 'fed up' with the war. He blamed Iran for the situation. Iran's foreign minister suggested he should target Israel instead.