An Israeli airstrike hit a Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon on Thursday, just a day after a ceasefire between the two sides came into effect. The Israeli military claimed the facility was used to store mid-range rockets and accused Hezbollah of breaching the truce.
“A short while ago, terrorist activity was identified in a facility used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon. The threat was thwarted by an [Israeli Air Force] aircraft,” the military said, adding that troops remain stationed in the area to address violations.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, aims to halt over a year of escalating violence. However, both sides have accused each other of breaking the terms of the agreement.
Israeli forces fired on what they described as “suspects” arriving at restricted areas in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused Israel of targeting civilians trying to return to border villages.
“There are violations today by Israel, even in this form,” Reuters reported quoting Fadlallah.
Thursday’s airstrike, near Baysariyah north of the Litani River, marks the first Israeli attack since the truce began. The ceasefire requires the dismantling of military facilities south of the Litani River and restricts offensive operations on both sides. Despite this, Israeli tank fire also targeted five towns and agricultural areas in southern Lebanon, wounding at least two people, according to Lebanese sources.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has talked about the importance of ensuring security in northern Israel before allowing evacuated residents to return. Meanwhile, displaced Lebanese civilians continue to face challenges in accessing their homes, with Israeli forces enforcing curfews and patrolling border areas.
The ceasefire follows a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated after Hamas’ October 2023 attack on southern Israel. The fighting in Lebanon has claimed over 3,760 lives, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. On the Israeli side, more than 70 people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed.
