Israeli troops carried out an incursion into a south Lebanese town overnight, killing a municipal employee, state media report, amid an escalation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
The troops, accompanied by drones and light armored vehicles, entered Blida and stormed the town hall, where the employee - named as Ibrahim Salameh - was sleeping, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.
The Israeli military said its troops were conducting an operation to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure, without providing evidence that the building was being used by the group.
Israel's operation drew a furious response in Lebanon, where a ceasefire ended a war between them last November.
Israel's military claims troops encountered a suspect inside the building and opened fire when an immediate threat was identified. It was not clear whether Salameh had been the target of the operation.
Israeli strikes have intensified, targeting what they claim are Hezbollah positions. Lebanese leaders, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, condemned the raid, calling it a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and pledging to address the incidents with international bodies.
In the wake of the attack, protests emerged in Blida, with residents blocking roads to express outrage at the recent violence and perceived government inaction.
