The Israeli Army on Tuesday claimed that a Lebanese soldier killed in an Israeli strike near the southern city of Saida on Monday was linked to Hezbollah, describing the alleged coordination as a “serious matter”.
In a statement posted on X, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israeli forces carried out what he described as “precise targeting operations” in southern Lebanon, killing three individuals whom the military identified as members of Hezbollah.
According to the Israeli account, one of those killed in airstrikes near the city of Saida was allegedly affiliated with Lebanon’s military intelligence while simultaneously operating within Hezbollah. Another individual was said to be active in the group’s air defense unit in the Saida area.
The Israeli military claimed the targets were involved in what it described as “terrorist planning” against Israeli forces and in efforts to rebuild Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. An initial investigation, according to the statement, indicated overlapping roles between at least one of the slain individuals and official Lebanese military structures.
The Israeli army said it views such activities as a “grave violation” of existing understandings between Israel and Lebanon and reiterated that it would continue operations aimed at neutralizing what it considers threats to Israeli civilians.
Lebanon’s Office of the Minister of Defense rejected the claims, stating, “The soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers of the army have one loyalty: the homeland.” Major General Michel Mansour added that the recent accusation is “false and a malicious attack on the army” and “a stab in the back of the army’s heroes who protect the homeland.”
Previous Accusations
Israel has accused the Lebanese army of either cooperating with Hezbollah in transporting and concealing weapons in the past. In November, the Israeli army claimed it had observed cooperation between Lebanese army forces and Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon, according to a report by Haaretz.
Israel alleged that Hezbollah equipment had been transported using Lebanese army vehicles and that Lebanese forces had turned a blind eye to the entry of Hezbollah engineering equipment into sites previously used by the militnat group.
The Ceasefire
The accusations come amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, a period marked by sustained cross-border hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The clashes subsided following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement in November 2024, which aimed to disarm Hezbollah starting with areas south of the Litani River.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of rebuilding its military capabilities and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, while Lebanon’s authorities have consistently denied institutional coordination between the state’s military and the group. For its part, Lebanon has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, citing the occupation of five hilltop positions in southern Lebanon by Israeli troops, as well as ongoing airstrikes and deadly ground incursions into Lebanese territory.
Diplomatic Discussions
Amid heightened diplomatic efforts, representatives from France, Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and Lebanon met in Paris last week to finalize a roadmap for disarming Hezbollah. The discussions focus on establishing a verification framework to document and support the Lebanese army’s efforts to remove Hezbollah’s heavy weapons and military infrastructure and to strengthen the ceasefire mechanism to prevent further escalation. A broader conference to reinforce the Lebanese military and address reconstruction is also planned for February.
The Israeli accusations could carry significant diplomatic and security consequences for Lebanon, particularly as international partners assess their military and financial support for the Lebanese army.
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