Israeli attacks kill two in south Lebanon in latest flare-up

Lebanon's health ministry said two people were killed in separate Israeli attacks on south Lebanon on Thursday, in the latest flare-up despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes and shelling on multiple areas in the south.

The ministry said an "Israeli enemy strike" hit a forested area in Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, killing one man, while Israeli gunfire on the border town of Kfarkila killed another.

The Israeli army said it struck "a Hezbollah terrorist" in southern Lebanon, alleging he was working to restore a site used to manage the group's "fire and defense array".

The military later said it hit "several military sites throughout Lebanon" belonging to Hezbollah, accusing the group of trying to reestablish its weaponry there.

It did not immediately comment on the shooting in Kfarkila.

NNA said the man in Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa was a "municipal employee" who had been fixing wells when his motorcycle was struck.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted Thursday valleys and mountains in the southern regions of Hasbaya, Jezzine, and Iqlim al-Tuffah and the outskirts of al-Bissariyeh in the Sidon district.

Israel has continued to bomb Lebanon despite the November truce that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, including two months of open war.

Under the deal, only U.N. peacekeepers and the Lebanese army are meant to operate in the south, though Israel has maintained a presence in five areas it deems strategic.

Lebanon has urged the international community to pressure Israel to halt its attacks and withdraw its forces.