Israel says targeted 'Hezbollah operative' in south Lebanon strike

Jerusalem: Israel's military said a strike Wednesday that according to Lebanese media killed one person had targeted a Hezbollah militant in the border area, a day after Israeli troops withdrew but remained in five points.

An Israeli air force "aircraft operated to remove a threat with a strike on a Hezbollah operative identified handling weaponry in the area of Aita Al Shaab in southern Lebanon," a military statement said.

February 18 marked the deadline for Israel to withdraw under a deal brokered by the US and France that came into force in November and put an end to 13 months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant and political movement Hezbollah.

The agreement also stipulated the removal of Hezbollah fighters and the deployment of Lebanese soldiers to the area south of the Litani River.

But Israel had accused the Lebanese army of not moving fast enough.

On February 17, Israeli officials said troops would remain in five “strategic” positions inside southern Lebanon to reassure residents of northern Israel who are set to return home on March 1.

Lebanon has warned that any remaining troop presence would constitute an “occupation”.