One Person Killed in Israeli Strike in South Lebanon, Health Ministry Says

A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
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One Person Killed in Israeli Strike in South Lebanon, Health Ministry Says

A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows a damaged site in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as Israeli troops withdrew from most of south Lebanon, in Lebanon, February 19, 2025. (Reuters)

One person was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the southern Lebanese border town of Aita al-Shaab, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Wednesday, a day after the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon.

The Israeli military said in a statement later on Wednesday that it struck the border town to target who it described as a "Hezbollah operative" handling weaponry in the area.

February 18 was the deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanese towns under a US-mediated ceasefire agreement which ended the war between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah party last year.

Israeli officials said some forces would temporarily remain in five positions across the border, a move they said is deemed essential for the country's security.

Hezbollah, which suffered significant losses during the war, said Israel was still occupying Lebanese land and that it held the Lebanese government responsible for a pull-out of all Israeli forces.

Israel had been due to withdraw by January 26, but this was extended to February 18 after it accused Lebanon of failing to enforce the terms. Lebanon at the time accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal.

The Lebanese health ministry also said two people were injured by Israeli gunfire in the southern town of Al-Wazzani.

Separately, the Lebanese Civil Defense service said on Wednesday that another 11 bodies were recovered from under rubble in four southern Lebanese villages from past attacks.

Residents have been returning to devastated villages searching for bodies after Israel's campaign against Hezbollah killed more than 4,000 people, according to Lebanese authorities. 



Jordan's King: Israel's Resumption of Gaza Attacks a 'Dangerous Step'

Jordan's King Abdullah II (L) gives a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) during their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 March 2025.  EPA/Gonzalo Fuentes / POOL
Jordan's King Abdullah II (L) gives a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) during their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 March 2025. EPA/Gonzalo Fuentes / POOL
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Jordan's King: Israel's Resumption of Gaza Attacks a 'Dangerous Step'

Jordan's King Abdullah II (L) gives a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) during their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 March 2025.  EPA/Gonzalo Fuentes / POOL
Jordan's King Abdullah II (L) gives a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (R) during their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 March 2025. EPA/Gonzalo Fuentes / POOL

Jordan's King Abdullah called on Wednesday for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza to be restored and for aid flows to resume.

"Israel's resumption of attacks on Gaza is an extremely dangerous step that adds further devastation to an already dire humanitarian situation," he said, standing next to French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Macron also said that negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the crisis in Gaza had to resume.
"There is no military solution in Gaza," said Macron during the joint press conference with King Abdullah.