IDF kills Lebanese Army soldier at checkpoint near Tyre — first LAF fatality from Israeli fire since war began

A Lebanese military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Israeli forces struck a Lebanese Army checkpoint in southern Lebanon on March 30, injuring at least five soldiers. The official stated it was the first direct attack on a Lebanese Army military post since the war between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have maintained strict neutrality throughout the conflict, deploying to buffer zones but avoiding direct engagement with Israeli forces and distancing themselves from Hezbollah operations. The eight Lebanese soldiers previously killed by Israeli fire during the conflict were all described as having been struck while off duty. The strike on an active checkpoint — a deliberate military post staffed during operations — represents a qualitative change in Israel's targeting posture toward Lebanese state forces. It may reflect Israeli frustration with LAF inability or unwillingness to prevent Hezbollah rocket fire from areas near Lebanese Army positions, or could be related to conflation of LAF and Hezbollah positions by Israeli targeting systems. No Israeli military statement was immediately issued on the incident.