Sleeping man killed in Israeli incursion into south Lebanon, Lebanese state media says
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Israel’s military has kept up air strikes and some ground operations in Lebanese territory despite a ceasefire agreed nearly a year ago.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BEIRUT – Israeli troops carried out an incursion into a southern Lebanese town overnight and killed a municipal employee who was sleeping in the local town hall, Lebanese state media said on Oct 30.
Israeli military confirmed the incident, saying that its forces had opened fire overnight during an operation to destroy the infrastructure of the militant group Hezbollah in the southern Lebanese town of Blida.
Lebanon’s army has deployed to the area but its media did not have further details to share. The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon did not immediately have further details on the incident.
Lebanon’s National News Agency said Israeli troops had entered Blida around 1.30am on Oct 29 (7.30am on Oct 30, Singapore time) and stormed the town hall, killing municipal employee Ibrahim Salameh, who had been sleeping there.
It said Israeli troops withdrew around 4am. It was not immediately clear whether Mr Salameh had been deliberately targeted and if so, why he would be.
“During the procedures, an immediate threat against the troops was identified, and they fired to remove it,” an Israeli military spokesperson said, adding that the incident was under review.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the incident, calling it “a blatant attack on the institutions and sovereignty of the Lebanese state”.
Israel’s military has kept up air strikes and some ground operations in Lebanese territory despite a ceasefire agreement nearly a year ago to end fighting between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Israel said its operations aim to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing itself
