Tel Aviv [Israel], November 21: The Israeli military stepped up airstrikes in south Lebanon on Thursday, killing at least one person as it pressed a campaign of near-daily attacks which it says is designed to block a military revival by Iran-backed Hezbollah in the border area.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rearm since a U.S.-backed ceasefire last year. The group says it has abided by requirements for it to end its military presence in the border region near Israel, and for the Lebanese army to deploy there.
On Wednesday, residents fled after Israel issued warnings on social media identifying buildings it planned to strike in four villages in the south, saying it was attacking Hezbollah military infrastructure.
Strikes on the villages - Deir Kifa, Chehour, Aainata and Tayr Filsay - sent thick plumes of smoke into the air.
The Israeli military said it struck "weapons storage facilities belonging to Hezbollah's rocket unit", saying these were "located in the heart of the civilian population" and that it had taken steps to mitigate harm to civilians.
The Israeli military also accused Hezbollah of working to rebuild capabilities in the area of another village, Beit Lif, saying it had identified Hezbollah headquarters and weapons storage facilities there.
A Hezbollah official denied the Israeli accusations, calling these "false claims to justify continued attacks".
Earlier in the day, one person was killed in an Israeli strike in the southern village of Al-Tiri, the Lebanese health ministry said.
The Israeli military said it had killed a Hezbollah member who was working to "reestablish Hezbollah's readiness in the area".
Source: Qatar Tribune
