Key Points:
- What Happened: An Israeli drone strike on Sunday, September 21, in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, killed five people and injured two.
- The Victims: Four of the dead were a family of US citizens: father Shadi Sharara and his three children, Celine, Hadi, and Aseel. The fifth victim was the intended target, Mohammad Majed Marwa, who was on a motorcycle. The children’s mother was wounded in the attack.
- Israel’s Position: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it targeted and killed a Hezbollah operative, but acknowledged that “several uninvolved civilians were killed.” The IDF expressed regret and stated the incident is under investigation.
- Lebanon’s Reaction: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called the attack a “blatant crime against civilians” and a “message of intimidation.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri questioned if “Lebanese childhood poses an existential threat to the Israeli entity”.
- Ceasefire Under Strain: The attack is a major violation of the US-brokered ceasefire that began in November 2024, which requires both sides to halt attacks.
New Delhi: An Israeli drone strike in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Sunday killed five people, including a father and his three young children who were American citizens, sparking international condemnation and putting a fragile US-brokered ceasefire at risk. The attack targeted a Hezbollah operative on a motorcycle but also struck a nearby car carrying the family.
Lebanese officials identified the slain family as Shadi Sharara and his children, Celine, Hadi, and Aseel. The children’s mother was also wounded in the strike. The fifth person killed was the apparent target, identified as Mohammad Majed Marwa.
Israel Acknowledges Civilian Deaths, Launches Investigation
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement confirming it had “targeted and neutralized” a Hezbollah operative who was “operating in the area of a civilian population”. The IDF acknowledged that as a result of the strike, “several uninvolved [civilians] were killed”.
The military expressed regret for the loss of civilian life, stating, “The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved [civilians], and works as much as possible to mitigate harm to them.” An investigation into the incident is underway. Israel maintains that its operations in southern Lebanon are aimed at preventing the Iran-backed group from rebuilding its military strength following the war that ended with a ceasefire in November 2024.
Lebanon Condemns “Blatant Crime” and “Massacre”
The attack drew furious condemnation from Lebanese leaders. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called it a “blatant crime against civilians and a message of intimidation aimed at our people returning to their villages in the south”. He urged the international community to denounce Israel for what he termed repeated breaches of international law.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri questioned Israel’s motives, asking, “Is it Lebanese childhood that poses an existential threat to the Israeli entity? Or is it the behavior of this entity, in killing without deterrence or accountability, that constitutes a real threat to international peace and security?”.
The attack occurred as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was in New York for the UN General Assembly, where he intended to discuss peace and human rights. He has called on the international community to pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement.
The incident is the latest and one of the deadliest violations of the truce brokered by the United States. While Israel claims Hezbollah is trying to re-arm, Hezbollah has largely refrained from cross-border attacks since the ceasefire began, according to reports. The killing of the American family threatens to escalate tensions and undermine the already fragile peace in the region.
