Israeli troops kill two near Lebanese ceasefire

Thu Jun 25 2026 02:33:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Two civilians were shot dead by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon as a new ceasefire keeps hostilities at a low level.

Following a brief lull in fighting after a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israeli soldiers shot dead two civilians in the town of Nabatieh al‑Fawqa. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the deaths as a violation of the agreement. Hezbollah denounced the act as a blatant breach, while the Israeli army cited an armed group that had entered the ‘security zone’ as the threat. The incident highlights the fragile nature of the truce that had seen a tranche of Israeli strikes earlier in the week.

Israeli troops kill two near Lebanese ceasefire

Israeli soldiers opened fire on two civilians in southern Lebanon, killing them as the blockade between Israel and Hezbollah holds after a brief break in fighting. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the deaths, describing the men as standing near a bulldozer that was clearing rubble in Nabatieh al‑Fawqa. Hezbollah accused Israel of a blatant violation of the truce, while the Israeli army said the soldiers were responding to an armed group that had crossed into the ‘security zone’ and ignored warning shots.

The men who died were identified as Mohammed Amhaz and Sajed al‑Hajj Ali, and were working with a team linked to Hezbollah’s emergency service that was reconstructing roads. The incident comes after Israeli forces carried out more than 150 air strikes on Hezbollah positions earlier in the week, prompting a ceasefire that had helped curb hostilities.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that troops would remain in Lebanon “as long as necessary” to defend against threats. Meanwhile, Iran warned that any breach of the ceasefire could jeopardise broader diplomatic efforts connecting the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Motorcycle rider past rubble in southern Lebanon — A motorcycle rides past the ruins of a village in southern Lebanon on 23 June 2026.

The day after the truce, another incident occurred when Israeli troops struck a ‘cell of armed terrorists’ north of the security zone; no casualties were reported. Lebanon’s border has thus remained a volatile point, with recent clashes underscoring the ongoing risk of renewed violence.

The conflict, which began in March with Hezbollah’s rocket attacks, has resulted in more than 4,200 civilian deaths and displaced over 1.2 million people across Lebanon. Greater stability will depend on the enforceability of the ceasefire and the willingness of all parties to respect the agreed boundaries.