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A suspected Israeli airstrike on a home in the southern Lebanese town of Wata al-Khiam has killed one person, Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced Friday, in the latest escalation of cross-border violence between Israel and armed groups in Lebanon.
In a brief statement released to local media, the ministry said that the strike targeted a residential building and referred to the incident as an “Israeli enemy strike.”
The identity of the victim has not yet been released. The area of Wata al-Khiam lies close to the volatile southern border where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have become increasingly frequent in recent months.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding the reported strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has, in the past, acknowledged carrying out targeted operations in southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah rocket fire or suspected militant movements.
Today’s strike marks another flashpoint in a steadily escalating cycle of violence that has threatened to spill over into broader regional instability. Just this week, residents on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border have reported increased aerial activity and artillery fire, particularly near contested areas such as the Shebaa Farms and the village of Kfar Shouba.
The cross-border hostilities have intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, with Hezbollah ramping up its attacks in solidarity with Palestinians and the Israeli military responding with aerial and artillery strikes on what it says are militant positions.
Wata al-Khiam, located in the Nabatieh Governorate, has been hit in previous Israeli strikes, although it is largely populated by civilians. It remains unclear whether the home targeted in Friday’s strike was linked to any military operations or was purely a residential dwelling.
Local emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion. Videos shared on Lebanese social media platforms showed the aftermath of the attack, with the building partially destroyed and debris scattered across nearby streets.
Lebanese officials have repeatedly called on the international community to intervene and prevent further escalation, warning that continued Israeli strikes risk pushing the region into a wider conflict.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have emphasized their right to defend against Hezbollah’s threats and have accused the group of using civilian areas for cover.
With no immediate claim of responsibility or confirmation from the IDF, the exact circumstances of the strike remain unclear. The Lebanese Health Ministry has urged international observers to investigate the incident and protect civilians in conflict zones.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which monitors the border region, has not yet issued a statement regarding the latest incident.