Israeli Drone Strikes Kill and Wound Civilians in Southern Lebanon Amid Heightened Tensions

By Ahora Qadi

Erbil (Kurdistan24) – The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that one civilian was killed and another injured following two separate Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon, amid escalating Israeli military operations despite a ceasefire agreement in place since November 27, 2023.

According to the ministry’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center, an Israeli drone strike injured a civilian in the town of Shebaa. Lebanon’s official National News Agency confirmed that the drone had targeted a residential home, with initial reports indicating multiple casualties.

In a second incident, another Israeli drone strike hit the Saf al-Hawa area in the southern city of Bint Jbeil, resulting in one fatality. Both areas lie near the border with Israel, where Israeli forces have conducted repeated aerial attacks in recent weeks.

Continued Strikes Despite Ceasefire

Lebanese sources report that Israeli troops still occupy five positions in the south, further aggravating tensions with Hezbollah and the Lebanese state, and they said that those strikes mark yet another violation of the ceasefire agreement, with Israel continuing its air campaign not only in southern Lebanon but also in eastern regions and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Hezbollah: Resistance Needs No Permission

Speaking Friday night during Ashura commemorations in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Hezbollah  Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem defended the group’s right to armed resistance against Israeli aggression. “Defense does not require permission,” Qassem said, rejecting calls for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons. “Those demanding we disarm should instead call on the occupier to withdraw from our land.”

He emphasized that the resistance remains a core national and ethical imperative, warning that surrender is not an option. “We are not a people who yield to humiliation,” Qassem declared, accusing internal political rivals of aligning against Hezbollah while ignoring Israeli violations.

Strategic Review Within Hezbollah

According to multiple sources cited by Reuters, Hezbollah has launched a “strategic review” following the recent war with Israel. While not prepared to disarm completely, the group is reportedly discussing the possibility of scaling back its military role. This includes potentially relinquishing some of its heavier weapons—such as drones and long-range missiles—contingent on Israeli withdrawal from occupied positions and a halt to its military operations.

A senior Hezbollah official noted that while the group amassed significant firepower to deter Israel, this arsenal has now become a burden. “We had a surplus of power, and that surplus has become a liability,” the official told Reuters, adding that Hezbollah “is not suicidal.”

Mixed Signals and International Scrutiny

Hezbollah’s stance appears to be evolving, yet its messaging remains mixed. While party officials publicly reaffirm their commitment to resistance, internal discussions reportedly include restructuring the group’s leadership, social roles, and military footprint. According to European intelligence assessments, Hezbollah’s identity as an armed group is deeply entrenched and would be difficult to completely dismantle.

A Country on Edge

As Israeli drone strikes persist, Hezbollah stands firm on its defensive posture while quietly re-evaluating its long-term strategy. With international mediators pressing for disarmament and regional tensions far from resolved, Lebanon remains caught in a dangerous balance—between confrontation and reluctant diplomacy, resistance and restraint.