A soldier from the Lebanese army stands near the wreckage of a car targeted by an Israeli airstrike in the Sidon district, southern Lebanon, Jan. 8, 2026. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Hezbollah member was killed on Thursday afternoon in an Israeli airstrike in the Sidon district in southern Lebanon, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The airstrike targeted a car located between the municipality of Zaita and the village of Bnaafoul, the NNA reported.
Lebanese security sources told Xinhua the death was a Hezbollah member but did not mention the person's name.
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike in a statement, saying it targeted a Hezbollah militant, and was a "response to Hezbollah's continued violations of the ceasefire understandings."
The attack came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the Lebanese military's announcement earlier in the day of having completed the "first phase" of a troop deployment across southern Lebanon as "far from sufficient" to disarm Hezbollah.
Despite a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel that has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, the Israeli army occasionally launched strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats."
Under the ceasefire, the Lebanese army is tasked with dismantling Hezbollah's infrastructure and confiscating unauthorized weapons. In late 2025, the Lebanese government approved a five-phase roadmap aimed at establishing a state monopoly on arms.
Hezbollah leaders have repeatedly said they will not fully disarm as long as Israel occupies any Lebanese land, citing five strategic hilltop positions still held by Israeli forces. They argue their weapons remain a necessary deterrent.
On Thursday, Hezbollah's Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc said in a statement that Lebanon, including Hezbollah, has fulfilled the commitments, urging the Lebanese government to compel Israel to implement its obligations under the ceasefire, beginning with a full and unconditional withdrawal and an end to ongoing attacks.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Thursday that the country is mobilizing international support to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five occupied points, halt its ongoing attacks, and secure the return of Lebanese detainees. ■
A soldier from the Lebanese army stands near the wreckage of a car targeted by an Israeli airstrike in the Sidon district, southern Lebanon, Jan. 8, 2026. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
