One israeli air attack Strike Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon on Thursday, just a day after a ceasefire between the two sides came into force. The Israeli military claimed the facility was used to store medium-range rockets and accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire.
“Some time ago, terrorist activity was identified at a facility used by Hezbollah to store medium-range rockets in southern Lebanon. The threat was thwarted by [Israeli Air Force] aircraft,” the army said, adding that troops are deployed in the area to deal with the violations.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, aims to end more than a year of escalating violence. However, both sides have accused each other of breaking the terms of the agreement.
Israeli forces fired on people described as “suspicious” approaching restricted areas in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused Israel of targeting civilians trying to return to border villages.
“Violations are still being committed by Israel today,” Fadlallah was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Thursday’s airstrike near Bessariyah, north of the Litani River, is the first Israeli strike since the ceasefire began. The ceasefire requires the destruction of military facilities south of the Litani River and prohibits offensive operations on both sides. Despite this, according to Lebanese sources, Israeli tank fire also targeted five towns and agricultural fields in southern Lebanon, wounding at least two people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken about the importance of ensuring security in northern Israel before allowing evacuated residents to return. Meanwhile, displaced Lebanese civilians are facing challenges in reaching their homes, with Israeli forces enforcing curfews and patrolling border areas.
The ceasefire comes after a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated following a Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023. The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 3,760 people, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. More than 70 people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed on the Israeli side.