UPDATE 2-Lebanese president orders army to confront Israeli incursions after border raid

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instructed the army commander on Thursday to confront any Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon after Israeli forces crossed the border overnight and killed a municipal employee, Lebanese state media reported. Israeli troops entered the border town of Blida around 1:30 a.m. (2330 GMT Wednesday) and stormed the town hall, killing municipal worker Ibrahim Salameh, who had been sleeping there, the National News Agency said.

The troops withdrew about two-and-a-half hours later. ISRAELI MILITARY SAYS IT IDENTIFIED 'IMMEDIATE THREAT'

The Israeli military confirmed its forces had operated in Blida overnight, saying they opened fire after identifying "an immediate threat" during an operation to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure. The incident was under review, it added. It was not immediately clear whether Salameh had been deliberately targeted and if so, why he would be.

Aoun condemned the attack as part of a pattern of Israeli aggression and said it was launched shortly after a meeting of the committee monitoring a cessation of hostilities. He urged the committee to go beyond recording violations and to press Israel to abide by a November 27, 2024 ceasefire agreement and halt its breaches of Lebanese sovereignty.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the incursion as "a blatant attack on the institutions and sovereignty of the Lebanese state". Lebanon's army has deployed to the area but did not provide further details. The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said it was seeking more information on the incident.

Israel has continued airstrikes and limited ground operations in Lebanese territory despite the ceasefire agreed nearly a year ago to end fighting with Hezbollah. Israel says its actions are intended to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military presence in the south, while Lebanon accuses Israel of violating the truce.