Israel strikes southern Lebanon, Hezbollah accuses IDF of ceasefire violation
Photo: Israeli Air Force attacks Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon (Getty Images)
The Israeli Air Force struck a facility in southern Lebanon used by Hezbollah to store medium-range missiles. The attack followed accusations from both sides of violating a ceasefire agreement reached the day before, according to the Israeli Defense Forces and Reuters.
On Thursday, Israeli forces opened fire on so-called suspicious individuals who arrived by car in several areas of the southern zone. According to the IDF, such actions violated the ceasefire with Hezbollah, which came into effect on Wednesday, November 27.
The airstrike carried out by Israel on Thursday was the first since the ceasefire took effect early Wednesday morning. Lebanese security sources and the Al Jadeed TV channel reported that the strike occurred near Baysan, north of the Litani River.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah, in turn, accused Israel of violating the agreement.
"The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages," Fadlallah told reporters, adding, "There are violations today by Israel, even in this form."
The Lebanese Army also accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire several times on Wednesday and Thursday.
Earlier, Lebanese state media and security sources reported that Israeli tanks shelled five villages and several agricultural fields in southern Lebanon. According to their information, at least two people were wounded.
All of these areas are located within 2 kilometers of the Blue Line, which demarcates the border between Lebanon and Israel, in a zone that Israeli forces had declared a no-go area along the border, even after the agreement.
The IDF stated that it had identified several suspicious activities that posed a threat and violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
"Any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire," said Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi.
Reuters suggested that the incidents described may be linked to Lebanese families, displaced from their homes near the southern border, trying to return to check on their property. However, Israeli forces continue to remain in southern Lebanese towns along the border and respond to the appearance of these people.
In addition, reporters from the agency reported hearing reconnaissance drones flying over certain areas of southern Lebanon.
On Thursday, Israeli forces reinstated a curfew that restricts movement for residents of southern Lebanon south of the Litani River from 5:00 PM (15:00 GMT) to 7:00 AM.
Ceasefire terms between Israel and Hezbollah
In recent months, fighting and airstrikes between the IDF and the Lebanese Hezbollah group have intensified. Since early October, the Israeli army launched an offensive in southern Lebanon to push militants away from the border with Israel.
On November 27, a ceasefire came into effect between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement was brokered by the United States and France.
Under the agreement, Israel is to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory within 60 days. In exchange, Hezbollah militants are to leave southern Lebanon, ensuring their inability to return. Neither side is allowed to initiate offensive operations.
The agreement also calls for dismantling unauthorized military sites south of the Litani River. Still, it does not specify anything about military sites to the north of the river.
Just before the ceasefire began, Israeli aircraft struck underground Hezbollah factories producing precision missiles.
