Israel on Thursday launched an airstrike on southern Lebanon.
This strike was first such attack since a ceasefire with Hezbollah was declared earlier this week.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted a rocket storage site linked to Hezbollah as it accused the group of violating the truce, reports AP.
Lebanese authorities reported sporadic incidents of Israeli shelling and gunfire, which injured two people attempting to return to southern Lebanon. While Lebanese media identified the injured as civilians, the Israeli military described them as suspects breaching the ceasefire. Despite these skirmishes, the truce largely held as Lebanese forces began deploying in areas long dominated by Hezbollah.
Efforts are underway to facilitate the return of displaced residents. Over 1.2 million people were forced to flee their homes during Lebanon's deadliest conflict in decades. However, restrictions remain in place, with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities cautioning civilians against entering border zones still under military control.
Israeli forces reported opening fire on "several suspects" entering restricted areas in southern Lebanon, though specifics were not disclosed. Lebanese state media reported two civilians wounded in the border village of Markaba amid ongoing Israeli tank fire in nearby villages, which caused no casualties.
Adding to the tension, the Lebanese military accused Israel of multiple ceasefire breaches, citing airstrikes and surveillance operations. An Israeli military spokesperson announced a curfew for Lebanese residents south of the Litani River, enforcing strict movement restrictions from Thursday evening to Friday morning.
The fragile truce, brokered by the U.S. and France, mandates Hezbollah’s withdrawal north of the Litani River and a gradual Israeli pullback, with Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers set to patrol a buffer zone. Lebanese military officials are clearing unexploded ordnance and debris to pave the way for displaced families to return.
Drone footage revealed extensive destruction in towns like Qana, which has endured repeated devastation in past conflicts with Israel. Residents returning to sift through the rubble expressed a mix of grief and resilience. “They’re determined to destroy us,” said Aref AbouKhalil, a local taxi driver. “But we’ll build it again.”
Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, emphasized that any violations of the ceasefire would be met with force. He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to the agreement while urging caution for displaced Israelis considering returning to their northern border communities.
Though the day saw reduced violence compared to recent months, the situation remains tense. The ongoing war in Gaza, which triggered this conflict, continues unabated, with no resolution in sight.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
