Four American citizens, three of whom were children, were among five people killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a Hezbollah militant in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, during the reporting window ending September 22nd, 3:05 AM UTC. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that both a car and a motorcycle were hit during the operation and stated they are investigating the incident. The IDF has previously expressed regret for civilian harm in such operations, noting they work to mitigate such occurrences. This incident follows a similar event reported on September 21st, where the IDF also stated it was investigating an airstrike in Bint Jbeil that resulted in civilian casualties, including three children. Lebanese media at that time reported that the strike targeted a Hezbollah operative on a motorcycle, but a car carrying a father and three children was also hit, leading to five fatalities. The IDF had stated that the operative was active in a civilian area contrary to understandings between Israel and Lebanon. In separate regional developments, investigations continue into a rocket or missile launch observed in Iran on September 18th. Analyst Fabian Hinz suggested the launch could have been a test of a medium-range ballistic missile or an anti-ballistic missile system. Additionally, recent reports indicated that PJAK, an Iranian branch of the PKK, has been expanding its tunnel networks in the Sulaimaniyah region of Iraq, near the Iranian border.
