Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instructed Army Commander Rodolphe Heikal to "confront any Israeli  incursion into the liberated southern territories in defense of Lebanese land and the safety of its citizens." This statement, signaling a clear official escalation, came just hours after a municipal employee was killed in a southern border village by Israeli military fire.

Aoun described the killing as "part of a series of aggressive Israeli practices" and criticized the mechanism committee, saying it "should not merely record incidents but act to put an end to them."

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, "In a serious and unprecedented incident, a hostile Israeli force infiltrated the southern town of Blida around 1:30 a.m., penetrating more than 1,000 meters beyond the border. The force, supported by military vehicles and ATVs, stormed the municipality building where employee Ibrahim Salameh was staying overnight. Enemy soldiers killed him inside."

During the operation, residents reported hearing screams and calls for help from the building. The incursion lasted until 4:00 a.m., after which the Israeli force withdrew. The Lebanese army then entered the building and transferred Salameh’s body to the hospital.

Lebanese Army: Incident Violates Sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701

The Lebanese Army described the incident as a criminal act and a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The army’s leadership called on the committee overseeing the cessation of hostilities—known as the "mechanism"—to take action to stop Israeli violations, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).