Israeli Strike Kills 3 Lebanese Soldiers As Death Toll Surpasses 40

“The Israeli enemy targeted an army center in the town of Sarafand in the south, which led to the martyrdom of three soldiers,” the Lebanese military stated.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that 17 people were injured in the strike after reporting earlier that Israeli attacks across the country over the previous 24 hours had killed 28 people and wounded 107 – bringing the death toll in Lebanon since fighting erupted between Hezbollah and Israel in October 2023 to 3,544 dead and more than 15,000 injured.

Fadi Eid, spokesperson for the Lebanese army, told the Associated Press before the Sarafand strike that 38 soldiers had been killed since October. The latest fatalities bring the total to 41, according to AP.

The strike follows a similar incident on Sunday, where Israeli forces bombed a military post in Mari, southeastern Hasbaiyya province, killing two soldiers and critically injuring three others.

Israel has not commented on the attacks targeting Lebanese soldiers, who have been conducting rescue and security operations.

In response to the Israeli violence, Lebanon’s government announced plans to file a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council, accusing Israel of "repeated violations of international law."

On the same day, Italy’s Ministry of Defence reported that eight rockets struck the headquarters of its UN peacekeeping contingent (UNIFIL) in Chama, southern Lebanon. While no injuries were reported, five Italian soldiers are under medical observation following the attack.

In a separate incident, four Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured when an Israeli rocket hit their base in the village of Ramyah. UNIFIL stated that the rocket was “fired most likely by non-state actors within Lebanon.” Investigations are ongoing to determine the origins of the rockets and those responsible for the attacks, which damaged outdoor areas and supply warehouses at the UN bases.

Argentina has decided to withdraw its peacekeeping contingent from UNIFIL, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. While the reason for the withdrawal was not disclosed, Argentina’s contribution included three staff members, according to UNIFIL data.

The decision comes as UNIFIL faces mounting challenges, including over 20 injuries to peacekeepers and damage to multiple bases from Israeli airstrikes. Israel claims that some UNIFIL bases are being used to shield Hezbollah fighters, a claim UNIFIL has denied. Despite Israeli demands to evacuate southern Lebanon, the peacekeeping mission has refused to leave, citing its mandate.

The ongoing Israeli violence continues to jeopardize regional stability, with both Lebanese military personnel and international peacekeepers caught in the crossfire.