Israeli drone strike targets dump truck in southern Lebanon in another breach of ceasefire

Videos circulating on social media platforms show what appears to be a dump truck engulfed in flames in the town of Maaliyeh, which is located southeast of Tyre, just before midnight, after an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle fired on the truck.

According to the Elnashra news site, the truck was transporting rubble before it was hit with a pair of missiles.

There were no immediate reports available about possible casualties or the extent of damage caused.

The development comes only a few hours after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the United States to pressure Israel to retreat from the occupied regions in the south, facilitating the deployment of the army in that area.

The appeal was made while Aoun was meeting in Beirut with Admiral Brad Cooper, who is the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Aoun urged increased pressure on the Tel Aviv regime to adhere to the ceasefire agreement established in November 2024, cease hostilities against Lebanon, withdraw from five occupied outposts in the southern region, and release detainees, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

“Continued Israeli attacks in the south hinder the deployment of the Lebanese army to the border,” he said.

Aoun highlighted that the Lebanese army has been deployed across more than 85 percent of the territory south of the Litani River.

“The army continues to prevent any armed presence in the area and confiscate weapons and ammunition,” he added.

Cooper, for his part, praised “the distinguished work carried out by the Lebanese army deployed in the south and throughout Lebanese territory.”

In light of considerable losses experienced over nearly 14 months of warfare and the inability to fulfill its objectives in the offensive against Lebanon, Israel had no choice but to accept a ceasefire with the Hezbollah resistance movement, which came into effect on November 27.

Since that time, Zionist regime’s forces have been conducting assaults on Lebanon, which include airstrikes, thereby violating the ceasefire.

On January 27, Lebanon declared its decision to prolong the ceasefire with Israel until February 18.

Nonetheless, Israel persists in its occupation of five key areas in southern Lebanon, specifically Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, all located in proximity to the border.

Despite near-daily Israeli airstrikes and repeated violations of Lebanese airspace and sovereignty, Hezbollah remains the only credible military force capable of confronting the occupation and preventing further Israeli incursions.

As calls to disarm the Lebanese resistance group grow louder from Washington and Israel, many in the Arab nation argue that such efforts ignore the core issue of Israel’s continued violations of Lebanese sovereignty.