People inspect a damaged building, after Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck a militant from the Lebanese Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Lebanon, Nov. 23, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanon on Tuesday rejected Israeli accusations that a Lebanese soldier killed in an air strike near the southern city of Sidon had links to Hezbollah, after Israel said it had attacked three terrorists working to rebuild the Iran-backed Islamist group’s infrastructure.

Israel’s military said the men were involved in planning attacks against its forces and that two were members of Hezbollah’s air defense unit. It also alleged that one of those killed was serving concurrently in Lebanese army intelligence.

The Lebanese army later confirmed that Warrant Officer Ali Abdullah of the army‘s Support Brigade and Anti-Tank Regiment was killed when an Israeli air strike hit a vehicle near Sidon on Monday.

The Lebanese defense ministry said suggestions that army personnel were tied to political or armed groups were false, and Defense Minister Michel Menassa said such reports amounted to a “malicious attack” on the institution.

A Hezbollah official also denied to Reuters any link between the terrorist group and members of the Lebanese army.

For years, experts and Israeli officials have argued that the Lebanese armed forces enable if not outright collaborate with Hezbollah.

Despite the accusations, diplomatic efforts are continuing to try to shore up a fragile truce along the Israel–Lebanon border.

A US-backed ceasefire agreed in November 2024 ended more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and required the disarmament of the Iran-backed group, beginning in areas south of the river adjacent to Israel.

On Tuesday, the Lebanese army said it was nearing completion of the first phase of its plan and was carefully assessing and planning subsequent stages, taking into account all relevant conditions and developments.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of attempting to rebuild military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, saying such activity violates understandings governing the Israel–Lebanon frontier.

A committee overseeing the Hezbollah–Israel truce said last week it was focusing on returning displaced civilians to their homes, amid concerns that tensions could flare if a year-end deadline to disarm Hezbollah is not met.