At least five people including three children, were killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese health ministry, President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a “massacre”.

The state-run National News Agency reported that the strike targeted a motorcycle near Bint Jbeil. In response, the Israeli military stated that it had “struck and eliminated a Hazbollah terrorist” in the same area.

Despite a ceasefire established in November to end over a year of hostilities, Israel has continued its strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah.

President Aoun called on the international community to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire, stating “As we are in New York to discuss matters of peace and human rights, Israel continues its ongoing violations of international resolutions”.

He described the incident in Bint Jbeil as a new massacre that resulted in the death of five individuals.

Aoun was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly when he made these remarks, urging global leaders to act against Israel’s actions.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also condemned the strikes, labeling them as “deliberate crime against civilians”. He called on guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement, including the United States and France, to exert pressure on Israel to halt its aggressions and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory.

In recent days, Israel has intensified its military actions, claiming to have struck arms depots belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese army reported that Israeli violations of the ceasefire have now reached 4,500 warning that these actions could impede efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

In light of increasing US pressure and concerns over further Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government is actively seeking to disarm Hezbollah.

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced that the army aims to complete the disarmament of the Iran-backed group in the border area within three months.