Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday denounced the killing of three Lebanese soldiers in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and international law, Anadolu reports.
The Israeli army confirmed it had targeted a Lebanese military vehicle and said it was investigating the incident.
In a statement, Aoun condemned the attack on a Lebanese army patrol on the Khardali‑Nabatieh road that killed two officers and a soldier.
He said the strike was part of an ongoing Israeli escalation that threatens stability and security in southern Lebanon, despite diplomatic efforts and talks in Washington aimed at ending Israeli attacks.
Aoun urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities, halt repeated attacks on Lebanon, and uphold relevant international resolutions.
Earlier Saturday, the Lebanese army reported that an Israeli strike hit a military vehicle on the Kfartebnit‑Khardali road in the Nabatieh area, killing a brigadier general, a captain, and a soldier.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called the strike “a crime” and an attack against Lebanon and its people.
In a separate statement, Hezbollah condemned the attack as a deliberate crime and accused Lebanese authorities of making concessions that encouraged further Israeli actions.
The Israeli army said it had identified a vehicle moving suspiciously toward its forces near Kfartebnit in an active combat zone.
The army claimed it received a warning about gunfire directed at its troops and said intelligence indicated extensive Hezbollah activity in the area.
It said the vehicle was targeted because it was considered a threat to Israeli forces.
According to the army, an initial review showed that two Lebanese officers and a soldier were inside the vehicle.
The strike occurred despite a fragile ceasefire in place since April 17, extended by Washington until early July amid diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed hostilities.
After four rounds of talks in Washington on Thursday, the United States, Lebanon, and Israel announced a declaration of intent that includes a complete halt to Hezbollah fire and the withdrawal of its fighters from areas south of the Litani River.
Hezbollah Secretary‑General Naim Qassem rejected the outcome of the talks, saying they were unacceptable to broad segments of the Lebanese population.
Israel has intensified its military campaign in Lebanon since March 2 amid the regional conflict linked to the war with Iran. Lebanese figures say the attacks have killed 3,558 people, injured 10,870, and displaced more than one million.
