At least four people were killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike in eastern Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry and state media reported, as tensions along the border persist despite a long-standing ceasefire. Lebanese authorities said the strike targeted a vehicle near the Syrian border in the Majdal Anjar area, resulting in the deaths of four individuals found inside.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency confirmed the death toll, and the Health Ministry’s statement did not immediately specify the identities of the victims. The Israeli military, for its part, said the operation targeted members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant group, an affiliate of Hezbollah and ally of other Palestinian factions, though it has not publicly released evidence supporting this claim.

The strike appears to be the first such attack in Lebanon that Israel has openly linked to Islamic Jihad operatives since a November 2024 ceasefire aimed at halting a year-long conflict with Hezbollah along the border. Under the terms of that truce, both sides agreed to halt major hostilities after intense clashes that erupted in late 2023 amid the wider war in Gaza.

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Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued regular operations across Lebanese territory, often citing security concerns and threats from armed groups. Since the truce took effect, more than 370 people have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon, according to figures compiled from the Lebanese health ministry — a tally that underscores ongoing volatility along the frontier.

Lebanese leaders have condemned the continued strikes as violations of their sovereignty, raising the issue with international bodies including the United Nations Security Council. Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities and some Palestinian factions in refugee camps have undertaken unilateral disarmament efforts, including handing over weapons to state forces — although major groups like Islamic Jihad and Hamas have not agreed to disarm in Lebanon.

The incident reflects the fragile and complex security landscape in Lebanon, where ceasefire agreements have struggled to fully prevent cross-border incidents. Observers warn that sporadic strikes — especially ones involving Islamic Jihad or other militant actors — could fuel further instability in a region already marked by protracted conflict and deep geopolitical tensions.

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