Israeli Soldier Killed in Accident in Southern Lebanon Amid Tensions Over Buffer Zone
An Israeli soldier died after his vehicle overturned in southern Lebanon, while officials from Israel and Lebanon denied reports of any troop withdrawal from the occupied buffer zone.
An Israeli Master Sergeant was killed when his vehicle overturned during an operation in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces said. Another soldier was moderately wounded in the incident, which the military described as an accident.
Senior Israeli and Lebanese officials on Thursday rejected claims that Israel had withdrawn troops from the buffer zone it occupies in southern Lebanon. A senior Israeli official said he was unaware of any pullback, adding that "de facto, we haven't moved from anywhere as of now." A Lebanese military source said the situation on the ground showed the opposite, noting that Israeli forces continue to enforce the zone against anyone approaching it, including Lebanese army units.
The incident occurred amid broader regional tensions, including statements from Iran's top negotiator denying U.S. claims that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to purchase American agricultural products, and remarks from U.S. officials about oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz returning to pre-war levels.
Separately, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the West Bank village of Sarta after he allegedly threw objects at troops during a raid linked to stone-throwing incidents. In the West Bank town of Halhul, residents reported that masked settlers threw stones at homes and attempted arson following the evacuation of a nearby outpost, prompting criticism of the delayed response by Israeli security forces.
The United States reiterated its position that any agreement with Iran must not compromise U.S. or allied security, and warned against exclusive national control of the Strait of Hormuz.
