Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon leaves two wounded

BEIRUT — An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Shahabiyah in southern Lebanon early Saturday, leaving two people wounded in the latest escalation of cross-border violence.

The attack occurred at approximately 6:35 a.m. local time, striking a residential area in the village. Local medical officials confirmed the injuries, describing them as non-life-threatening. Emergency services transported the wounded to a nearby hospital for treatment.

No immediate claims of responsibility were made by Israeli military officials or Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that has been engaged in a months-long conflict with Israel. The strike comes amid heightened tensions following a series of exchanges of fire across the border in recent days.

Al-Shahabiyah, located roughly 15 kilometers from the border with Israel, has seen increased military activity in the past week. Residents reported hearing explosions shortly after dawn, followed by the sound of sirens as emergency vehicles arrived at the scene.

The incident marks the third known strike in the southern Lebanese town this month. Previous attacks have targeted infrastructure and suspected militant positions, but Saturday’s strike appears to have hit a civilian area.

Israeli Defense Forces have not commented on the specific operation. In a broader statement issued earlier in the week, the military said it continues to target Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives in southern Lebanon in response to rocket fire and cross-border raids.

Hezbollah has not released a statement regarding the incident. The group has previously accused Israel of targeting civilians in an effort to destabilize the region.

Local authorities in Al-Shahabiyah are assessing the damage to the affected building. Neighbors described the scene as chaotic in the immediate aftermath, with smoke rising from the site and residents gathering to assist the injured.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has not issued a statement on the strike. Blue Helmet peacekeepers stationed in the area are monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have risen sharply since October 2023, following the outbreak of war in Gaza. Both sides have engaged in regular exchanges of fire, with occasional strikes inside each other’s territory.

The attack on Al-Shahabiyah raises questions about the targeting criteria used by Israeli forces and the potential for further escalation. As of Saturday afternoon, no additional strikes had been reported in the area.

Residents remain on high alert, with many staying indoors as military activity continues in the region. The incident underscores the ongoing volatility in southern Lebanon and the risk to civilians caught in the crossfire.