Israeli Gunfire Kills Two in Southern Lebanon Amid Ceasefire Concerns]

Israeli gunfire killed two people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, prompting Iran-backed Hezbollah to accuse Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement that has largely held since Sunday, marking the first fatalities in the recent lull.

The incident occurred near a bulldozer clearing a road in the al-Deir neighborhood of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defence and health ministry. Hezbollah confirmed in a statement that two civilians were killed and accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire.

The shooting came as displaced families began returning to southern areas, with traffic congestion reported on main highways. However, concerns remain about the ceasefire’s stability despite Israeli forces remaining deployed deep inside Lebanon.

The conflict, which escalated from the U.S.-Iran geopolitical tensions on March 2, saw Hezbollah launch attacks on Israel in support of Tehran, prompting Israel’s second major offensive in Lebanon this year.

In a separate incident, the Israeli military said it struck “armed terrorists who posed an immediate threat” to soldiers in the Ali al-Taher ridge area, also in southern Lebanon.

Iran’s UN ambassador in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, warned that violations of the ceasefire memorandum could jeopardize broader peace negotiations, emphasizing that Lebanon is integral to any diplomatic breakthrough.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that troops will maintain operational freedom to counter threats and remain in Lebanon “as long as necessary.”

The ongoing violence has displaced approximately 1.2 million people in Lebanon, according to authorities. Local officials reported partial returns to areas like Zrarieh and Toura, though many homes were destroyed.

Lebanese health authorities report over 4,100 deaths from Israeli attacks, including 773 women, children and healthcare workers, though combatant casualties remain unclassified.

Israel has sustained 32 military personnel and four civilian deaths during this phase of hostilities.

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