Israel Resumes Strikes in Lebanon Amidst Ceasefire Violations

Israel has resumed airstrikes in southern Lebanon, with reports indicating casualties, despite claims of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The truce was reportedly brokered by the US and Iran and was supposed to take effect Friday.

However, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported that three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Arabsalim in southern Lebanon on Saturday. Another person died when an Israeli drone attacked a motorcycle in the town of al-Dujayr. A separate strike in the Nabatiyeh region resulted in the death of a Lebanese soldier, and NNA reported that four members of the same family were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the town of Barish.

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Israeli soldiers are permitted to respond to any emerging threats, regardless of the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

According to a U.S. government source, the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was meant to be in effect from 4 p.m. local time on Friday. However, it has been violated on several occasions shortly after taking effect. An Israeli military spokesperson told The Times of Israel that soldiers are permitted to respond to any emerging threats, regardless of the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously stated that Israel would not tolerate attacks against its soldiers or territory. Concerns remain that the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah could jeopardize the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding for peace in the Middle East, which stipulates that a ceasefire applies across all fronts, including Lebanon.

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Israel will not tolerate attacks against its soldiers or territory.