BEIRUT: Israel launched fresh strikes on what it said were Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon after raids earlier on Wednesday killed two people, the latest violence despite a year-old ceasefire with the group.

The state-run National News Agency said Israeli warplanes launched raids on buildings in several south Lebanon towns including Qanarit and Kfour, after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings to residents identifying sites it intended to strike there.

A photographer was slightly wounded along with two other journalists who were working near the site of a heavy strike in Qanarit. The Israeli army said it was striking Hezbollah targets in response to the group’s “repeated violations of the ceasefire understandings”.

Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah. But Israel has criticised the Lebanese army’s progress as insufficient and has kept up regular strikes, usually saying it is targeting members of the Iran-backed group or its infrastructure.

Earlier on Wednesday, the health ministry said an Israeli strike on a vehicle in the town of Zahrani, in the Sidon district, killed one person. A correspondent saw a charred car on a main road with debris strewn across the area and emergency workers in attendance.

Later, the ministry said another strike targeting a vehicle in the town of Bazuriyeh in the Tyre district killed one person. Israel said it struck Hezbollah operatives in both areas.

A Lebanese army statement decried the Israeli targeting of “civilian buildings and homes” in a “blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty” and the ceasefire deal.

It also said such attacks “hinder the army’s efforts” to complete the disarmament plan.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026