The military said late Saturday that it carried out a drone strike against three suspects on the Lebanese side of Mount Dov, close to the border, two weeks before Israeli forces are set to withdraw from Lebanon under the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

The three suspects were apparently killed in the strike. It was unclear if they were armed or what their intentions were.

Hours earlier, another drone struck in south Lebanon “to remove a threat” after several Hezbollah operatives were spotted leaving a building known to be used by the terror group, the IDF said. According to Lebanese media, the strike occurred in the southern village of Kounine. Lebanon’s health ministry reported two people wounded.

Under the terms of the November 27 ceasefire agreement, which ended 14 months of war with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terror group is to withdraw north of the Litani River — some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border with Israel — while Israel must withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, to be replaced by the Lebanese Armed Forces and international peacekeeping force UNIFIL.

Washington has reportedly assured Beirut that Israel would complete the withdrawal in time, and the LAF said Saturday that it had finished deploying in south Lebanon’s western sector following Israel’s withdrawal from there.

Israeli officials have reportedly indicated that the IDF could stay in south Lebanon past the deadline for withdrawal if the Lebanese army does not replace the Israeli presence there........

© The Times of Israel