An Israeli raid in southern Lebanon on Thursday killed a municipal employee, sparking widespread protests in the border region as residents accused Israel of targeting civilian areas amid ongoing cross-border tensions.
Lebanese officials confirmed that the victim, a local municipal worker, was killed when Israeli aircraft struck what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed was a Hezbollah-linked site near the town of Bint Jbeil. The Lebanese Interior Ministry, however, said the location was part of a civil infrastructure zone, and that the victim had been inspecting public facilities at the time of the attack.
The strike marks the latest escalation in a series of cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah over recent weeks, raising fears that the conflict could expand beyond Gaza. Local media reported that protesters gathered near municipal offices and along the main highway in southern Lebanon, waving Lebanese and Palestinian flags while denouncing Israeli “aggression.”
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international law. “Targeting civilians and public servants cannot be justified under any pretext,” he said, urging the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to intervene and prevent further escalation.
In response, the IDF said it was acting against “terrorist threats emanating from southern Lebanon” and vowed to continue operations as long as Hezbollah launches rockets or mounts cross-border attacks.
UNIFIL officials said they were in contact with both sides to “contain tensions” and avoid further civilian casualties. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has not officially commented on the incident, though sources within the group warned that “Israel’s provocations will not go unanswered.”
The latest episode adds to growing concern over the fragility of the Lebanon-Israel frontier, where small clashes and drone attacks have become almost daily occurrences since the Gaza war began.