South Lebanon – Israeli forces targeted a member of Hezbollah in the Hanin region of southern Lebanon on Monday, February 16, 2026, according to reports. The incident marks a continued, though limited, exchange of fire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, despite a ceasefire agreement in place since late November 2024.
The Israeli military stated that it struck a “terrorist” who was working to rebuild military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah, according to Sky News Arabia. The individual was reportedly “eliminated” in the strike.
Earlier, the army announced the operation, while Lebanese media reported one fatality in the area. The military added that its forces from the 91st Division had “eliminated three operatives” in the past week who were involved in rehabilitating Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
In addition to targeting individuals, Israeli forces likewise reportedly destroyed buildings and engineering equipment believed to be used to support Hezbollah activities in southern Lebanon, and affirmed its commitment to removing what it described as threats. This action comes despite the existing ceasefire, which stipulated Hezbollah’s disarmament – a task assigned to the Lebanese army.
The escalation follows reports of Israeli construction at five sites in southern Lebanon, even after withdrawing from towns and villages in February 2025 as part of the ceasefire agreement, as analyzed by BBC News Arabic using satellite imagery. The Lebanese government has characterized the continued Israeli presence as a violation of the truce.
According to Lebanese official figures, more than 300 people have been killed since the ceasefire began, with the United Nations reporting that over 100 of the victims were civilians. A separate strike on Monday, February 16, 2026, reportedly killed four people in eastern Lebanon, according to Al Arabiya, after an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in Majdal Anjar near the Syrian border.
The ongoing tensions underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the continued presence of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Al Ghad TV reported the initial strike, citing Captain Ella.
