Israel Launches Strikes on Lebanon Amid Ceasefire Tensions with Hezbollah
Tensions flared on Monday evening as Israel launched airstrikes across Lebanon in response to an attack on a military post by Hezbollah. The confrontation has left at least nine people dead in two southern Lebanese villages, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure “throughout Lebanon” while reaffirming its commitment to a ceasefire agreement brokered just last week. However, Israeli officials accused Hezbollah of violating the fragile truce with a mortar attack on an IDF position near Mount Dov—a contested area also known as Shebaa Farms.
Hezbollah described its strike as a “defensive warning,” asserting it was retaliating against Israeli violations of the ceasefire. No injuries were reported from the attack, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Hezbollah’s actions a “severe breach” and promised a forceful response.
Netanyahu had previously warned that Israel would retaliate strongly if Hezbollah undermined the agreement. The truce, which aimed to end 13 months of hostilities, was initially hailed as a breakthrough to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon border region.
The agreement, brokered with support from the United States and France, required Hezbollah to dismantle its armed presence in southern Lebanon within 60 days, while Israel was to gradually withdraw its forces from the same area. Monday’s escalation underscores the precarious nature of this deal, with both sides trading accusations of misconduct.
As the situation develops, the fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance, raising fears of renewed conflict in the volatile region.
