Israel launched an attack on Iran-backed Hezbollah militia on Saturday, and the ceasefire appeared on the brink of collapse hours after intercepting rockets fired from Lebanon.
Lebanon said the new violence killed two people, including a child, and was the heaviest fire exchange since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
“In response to the launch of the rocket to Israel this morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the Israel Defense Forces [Israel Defense Forces] A statement from Netanyahu’s office said:
“The attacks on dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command center where Hezbollah terrorists operate in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said.
The attack occurred when the IDF said it intercepted several rockets launched from Lebanon in the northern Israeli border town of Metula, without any injuries or damage.
Hezbollah denies any responsibility for the Rockets.
“The claims of the Israeli enemy are merely justifying its continued aggression against Lebanon, and this has not stopped since the ceasefire was announced,” the militia said in a statement.
But security sources in Lebanon say Hezbollah has launched its first attack on Israel since the ceasefire began.
Lebanese security sources told DPA that Israeli artillery fires in Yohmor village and Al-Hamames crossed the border of Metula.
Residents in the target area reported a loud explosion.
At least two people, including a young girl, were killed in Israeli fires in Lebanon and injured at least eight people, officials said.
The NNA reported on Israeli fighter jets and attacks involving artillery, tanks and machine guns.
Al-Manar, a Hezbollah-affiliated broadcaster, also reportedly reported over 20 air strikes targeting southern Lebanon.
Israel will “react harshly to the morning attacks,” the Israeli military said in a statement released on X.
“Lebanon’s state is responsible for maintaining [ceasefire] agreement,” it said.
Another ceasefire at the edge?
The battle could break a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been going on for nearly four months.
The deal temporarily ended more than a year of fierce cross-border attacks between Israel and Iran-backed groups, intensified when Israeli forces launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon in October.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Israeli operations in southern Lebanon could risk dragging the country into a “new war”, while UN observer rule notes that “the vulnerability and stability observed in recent months” are at risk.
According to the Observer mission, four projectiles were fired in Israel in the morning, “inducing immediate revenge from the Israel Defense Forces.”
The Lebanese army said its troops found three simple wooden buildings in southern Lebanon designed to launch rockets and demolish them.
Hezbollah said it remains committed to a ceasefire agreement with Israel and Israel and “stand behind the Lebanese state” to address what the group calls a serious Israeli escalation to Lebanon.
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas clashed with attacks on Israel and subsequent wars in Gaza, and Hezbollah said its attacks were in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Earlier this week, Israel also resumed extensive air strikes and ground operations in Gaza, citing a deadlock talks with Hamas since January 19 to expand the ceasefire.
Hundreds of Ganwa people have been killed since the fight resumed earlier Tuesday, which has effectively undermined the temporary ceasefire.
Israel continues to exist
Under the terms of the ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israeli forces will be completely evacuated from southern Lebanon, but there are still five military posts near the Israeli border.
Beirut’s government believes that the persistent presence of Israeli units in the country is a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
According to the NNA, Salam also called on the official UN Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert to urge the UN to “increase international pressure on Israel and make Israel completely withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory.”
Waste of smoke in Israeli air strikes in the village of Sogel in southern Lebanon. str/dpa
