Tensions along the Israel–Lebanon frontier escalated again after Lebanese officials reported that an Israeli drone strike near the Syrian border killed four people. The incident occurred in eastern Lebanon close to the town of Majdal Anjar.
Lebanon’s health authorities confirmed the deaths after a vehicle was hit in the border region. Local media reported that the strike targeted a car traveling in the area.
The Israeli military later stated that the operation was aimed at members of the Palestinian militant organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad, saying the individuals targeted were involved in militant activities. The group is known to maintain links with Hezbollah and operates alongside other Palestinian factions in the region.
The strike comes despite a ceasefire arrangement reached in November 2024 intended to reduce hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah after months of cross-border clashes linked to the Gaza conflict.
While Israel has continued conducting periodic operations in Lebanon, most previous strikes were directed at Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli officials suggested this latest attack represents a rare instance where Islamic Jihad operatives were specifically targeted since the truce.
Lebanese authorities have recently pushed forward with plans to reduce the presence of non-state armed groups, with reports indicating that some Palestinian factions have handed over weapons in refugee camps. However, major groups including Islamic Jihad and Hamas have not announced any disarmament steps.
Security analysts warn that continued targeted strikes risk undermining fragile ceasefire arrangements and could reignite broader regional tensions.
