Israeli Drone Strike Kills Lebanese Soldier, Wounds Three

A Lebanese soldier was killed and three others were wounded on Wednesday morning when an Israeli drone targeted an army post in the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon. Lebanese media reported the casualties following the attack.

The strike occurred amidst a significant escalation by Israel in southern Lebanon, which included airstrikes, artillery shelling, and explosions in several towns. These areas included Al Mansouri, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Khiam, Al Qantara, Bani Hayyan, and Ayta al-Jabal.

The National News Agency reported that the Israeli military carried out intense explosions east of Khiam, as well as in the Beiot Al Sayyad farm and Al Mansouri, near Tyre. Israeli forces also conducted extensive sweeps near the town of Majdal Zoun, east of Tyre. Apache helicopters were observed during airstrikes on Al Mansouri, and a Merkava tank fired two shells at the area.

In Al Mansouri, Israeli forces reportedly continued to destroy artesian wells and the water network, following extensive damage to homes. Further explosions were reported on the outskirts of Ayta al-Jabal towards Beit Yahoun, and in Bani Hayyan, along with the demolition of residential buildings between Beit Yahoun and Ayta al-Jabal.

This escalation follows Lebanese warnings about the consequences of ongoing Israeli operations. Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, cautioned against the non-renewal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stating that there is still time to prevent it. Berri suggested that the US administration and President Trump could pressure Israel to cease its actions against Lebanon, identifying Israel's non-adherence to agreements as the primary obstacle to ending the conflict.

Concurrently with the military escalation, the Lebanese army received 47 Humvee vehicles and five trucks at the port of Beirut as part of US aid programs, aimed at bolstering the military's capabilities and readiness.