Lebanese Army General Among Three Killed in Israeli Strike

A Lebanese brigadier general, a captain and a soldier were killed after an Israeli strike hit a Lebanese Army vehicle in southern Lebanon, threatening to undermine a newly announced US-brokered ceasefire effort.

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Three members of the Lebanese Armed Forces, including a brigadier general, were killed on Saturday after an Israeli strike hit a military vehicle in southern Lebanon, in an incident that risks further destabilising a fragile ceasefire effort brokered by the United States.

The Lebanese Army said Brigadier General Samer Sabra, Captain Elie Khoury and soldier Hassan Ghazal were killed when their vehicle was struck on the Khardali-Nabatieh road in southern Lebanon. Israel’s military confirmed carrying out the strike, saying the vehicle was operating in what it described as an “active combat zone” where Hezbollah militants were believed to be present. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the incident is under investigation.

The attack comes only days after Lebanese and Israeli officials announced a conditional ceasefire framework aimed at reducing hostilities that have intensified since March.

Lebanese Officials Condemn Attack

Lebanon‘s military accused Israel of carrying out a deliberate attack against its forces, describing the strike as an act of aggression that undermines efforts to restore stability. President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a “flagrant violation” of Lebanese sovereignty and international law, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described it as a “heinous crime” against Lebanon and its people.

The Lebanese Army said the deaths strengthen its resolve despite what it called repeated Israeli aggression against Lebanon, its people and its armed forces. Regional governments, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, also criticised the strike and called for respect for Lebanese sovereignty and international law.

Israel Says Vehicle Was in Combat Zone

The Israeli military said the vehicle was travelling in an area where troop movements require prior coordination with Israeli forces because of ongoing operations against Hezbollah. According to Israeli officials, intelligence indicated Hezbollah activity in the vicinity, and the vehicle was considered suspicious. The IDF maintained that its operations are directed against Hezbollah rather than the Lebanese state or military. Israeli authorities have said approximately 150 Hezbollah-related targets were struck across southern Lebanon over the past two days as fighting continues despite ceasefire discussions.

Wider Violence Continues

The strike on the military vehicle was part of a broader wave of violence across southern Lebanon. Lebanese media reported that separate Israeli strikes killed additional civilians and wounded others in Sidon district and Nabatieh governorate. Al Jazeera reported that at least 12 people were killed in Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon on Saturday.

The latest escalation follows months of fighting involving Israel, Hezbollah and Iranian-backed forces, despite repeated diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 3,500 people have been killed since the latest phase of the conflict began in March, although the figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Ceasefire Under Pressure

The deaths are likely to complicate efforts by the United States and regional mediators to stabilise southern Lebanon. A recently announced ceasefire arrangement sought to reduce hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, but Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has rejected elements of the proposal, arguing it fails to address key concerns regarding Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon.

Analysts say the killing of a senior Lebanese Army officer could increase political pressure on Beirut and further test the durability of ongoing diplomatic negotiations. At the time of publication, investigations into the strike were continuing.