Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday wounded 24 people, despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah being in place for over six weeks, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
The first attack occurred in the southern town of Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, where 20 individuals were injured, the Ministry reported, updating an earlier count of 14 wounded.
The second strike, which targeted the neighboring town of Zawtar, injured four more people. The region, located north of the Litani River, lies only about 10 kilometers from the Israeli border.
Around 7:30 pm, an Israeli drone launched a guided missile at a small vegetable truck in Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) confirmed.
The vehicle was reportedly associated with Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. A subsequent strike followed less than two kilometers away from the first on the Zawtar-Nabatiyeh road.
The attack has prompted strong condemnation from Lebanese officials. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, called the Israeli strikes a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
In a statement released by his office, Mikati emphasized that Israel had ignored its obligations under international law and urged the U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, head of the ceasefire monitoring committee, to take decisive action to ensure Israel’s compliance.
“We will continue to work to maintain the ceasefire and take the necessary actions to prevent further violations,” Mikati added, underscoring the importance of upholding the truce.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating they were targeting Hezbollah vehicles in southern Lebanon involved in transferring weapons.
Israeli spokesperson Avichay Adraee elaborated on the military’s objectives, saying the strikes targeted a truck and another vehicle carrying weapons in the areas of Chaqif and Nabatiyeh.
Adraee reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to its operations in southern Lebanon, stating, “We will continue to act according to the understanding between Israel and Lebanon, despite Hezbollah’s attempts to return to southern Lebanon.”
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered on November 27, Hezbollah is required to withdraw its forces from the region north of the Litani River and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure south of the river.
The ceasefire has largely held since it was negotiated, though tensions remain high along the volatile Israel-Lebanon border.
The strikes come at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.
While Hezbollah has denied engaging in any hostilities since the ceasefire came into effect, Israel has expressed concerns about the group’s continued military activities in southern Lebanon.
The international community, including the United Nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to adhere strictly to the ceasefire terms, fearing that any further escalation could lead to a resumption of full-scale hostilities.
As of now, the situation in southern Lebanon remains tense, with local authorities calling for immediate international intervention to prevent further casualties and ensure the preservation of the fragile ceasefire.