Beirut: Four individuals were killed in an Israeli strike in the Marjayoun district of southern Lebanon as Israel persists in its ceasefire violations.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Lebanese Health Ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center confirmed that two Syrian nationals and a Lebanese person were killed when an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in the town of Mays al-Jabal. The ministry did not provide further information on the identities of the victims.

Earlier reports from the Lebanese state National News Agency indicated that an Israeli drone had targeted a pickup truck traveling on the road connecting the towns of Mays al-Jabal and Blida. Additionally, a Lebanese civil defense member lost their life in a separate Israeli air raid on Mays al-Jabal, as reported by Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).

In another related development, Israeli artillery fired two shells at the outskirts of Shebaa in the Hasbaya district of southern Lebanon, as stated by the agency. Israel, in its statement, claimed responsibility for targeting and eliminating a member of Hezbollah's 'Radwan force' in Mays al-Jabal. It further alleged that another Hezbollah operative was killed in the same vicinity while allegedly gathering intelligence for the organization. Hezbollah has not yet responded to these claims.

The current situation unfolds amidst a fragile ceasefire that has been in place in Lebanon since November, following months of cross-border conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September. Lebanese officials have documented nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which have resulted in the deaths of approximately 200 people and injuries to around 500 others.

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Israel was expected to withdraw completely from southern Lebanon by January 26. However, the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel's refusal to comply, and it continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.