At least three people, including a senior figure from the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in southern Lebanon, in the latest blatant violation of a shaky ceasefire agreement with the Arab country.
Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television reported that an Israeli drone strike targeted an apartment on Dalaa Street in the Lebanese port city of Sidon, located 48 kilometers (29 miles) south of Beirut.
Hassan Farhat, a member of Hamas, and his son were reportedly killed in the airstrike.
Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, confirmed the assassination in a statement, pledging that "the path of resistance will continue until the complete liberation of the land of Palestine, and the blood of the martyrs will be the light of the path" for its fighters.
"The policy of cowardly assassinations by the Israeli occupation regime against our children and fighters, whether in the occupied Palestinian territories or outside them, will never be able to stop us from continuing the path of jihad and sacrifice," it said.
A statement issued by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's media office said, "The attack on Sidon or any other Lebanese region is a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a clear breach of UN Resolution 1701 and the security arrangements for halting hostilities."
"Prime Minister Salam emphasizes the need to exert maximum pressure on Israel to compel it to stop its ongoing assaults, particularly on residential areas, stressing that a complete cessation of military operations is essential," it said.
Israeli military forces also launched hours-long raids on other regions in southern Lebanon, including the towns of Naqoura and Nabatieh, resulting in damage and casualties.
An Israeli airstrike on a car near the city of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon injured two people on Thursday morning.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji urged the EU to step up pressure on Israel to withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territories, cease attacks, and respect Lebanon's sovereignty.
Rajji made the appeal during talks with Stefano Sannino, director-general for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Commission, who led an EU delegation visiting Beirut, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported.
The minister condemned Israel's continued military aggression, including daily strikes in southern Lebanon and renewed attacks on Beirut.
Israel had to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah following significant losses incurred over nearly 14 months of conflict, failing to achieve its goals in the onslaught against Lebanon. The ceasefire took effect on November 27.
Since the commencement of the agreement, the occupying forces have been carrying out near-daily assaults on Lebanon, breaching the ceasefire, which includes airstrikes throughout the Arab nation.
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