Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) Sergeant Khalil Ali Fayad succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday after he was shot in Aitaroun, southern Lebanon, on Jan. 26, 2025, the police announced in a statement.

In their statement, the ISF paid tribute to this 30-year-old officer, posthumously promoted to the rank of chief sergeant. The victim, originally from Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon and unmarried, joined the security forces in 2015 and was employed in the information division. He also received several medals posthumously.

On Jan. 26, on the eve of the original deadline for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon, thousands of residents from border villages marched towards their still-occupied localities, protected by the Lebanese Army. In many areas, the crowd came under fire from the Israeli army, resulting in at least 27 deaths and more than 140 injuries, according to authorities.

Since the cease-fire came into effect on Nov. 27, after 15 months of war, the Israeli army has killed at least 83 people in Lebanon, in strikes and shootings, according to our count. The war between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths.