Blida: A Lebanese municipal worker was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern Lebanese town of Blida overnight, state media reported on Thursday.

According to Ghana News Agency, the National News Agency (NNA) stated that Israeli soldiers entered a municipal building and killed an employee who had been spending the night inside it. After the Israeli unit withdrew, the Lebanese army reportedly then entered the building and took the body to a nearby hospital.

In response to the incident, the Blida municipal authority called for a protest rally on Thursday in front of the administrative building. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, stating that it falls within the framework of Israeli aggression against civilians. During a meeting with Rodolphe Haykal, commander of Lebanese forces, Aoun requested that the army confront Israeli incursions into the south to defend Lebanese territory and ensure the safety of citizens.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack, explaining that during an operation to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in the Blida area, the troops identified a suspect inside the building. The military stated that the troops were threatened and opened fire, adding that the incident is under review. The Israeli military also claimed that the civilian building had recently been exploited for terrorist activity.

The Lebanese army rejected the Israeli claims, issuing a statement that labeled them as baseless and unrelated to reality, asserting that they serve to justify continuous violations against Lebanon and its citizens. Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that has been in effect for nearly a year, both sides continue to accuse each other of violations. Israel accuses the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement of reorganizing in southern Lebanon, contrary to the agreement. According to the UN, more than 100 civilians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect.