Hezbollah strikes northern Israel over ceasefire violations

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group announced on Tuesday that it had launched an attack on northern Israel for the first time since a ceasefire came into effect, describing the operation as a response to repeated Israeli breaches of the truce. In a statement, the group said its fighters struck an Israeli artillery position in the settlement of Kfar Giladi using a rocket barrage and a swarm of attack drones.

Over 200 violations documented

Hezbollah stated that the artillery site was responsible for recent shelling targeting the town of Yahmar al-Shaqif in southern Lebanon. The group said the attack was a direct response to “blatant and documented Israeli violations that have exceeded 200 breaches” since the ceasefire began on Friday. According to Hezbollah, the violations included attacks on civilians and the destruction of homes and villages in southern Lebanon.

Ceasefire under strain

A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Friday, but Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Saturday that Israel intends to maintain control over all areas it occupied in southern Lebanon during the latest offensive. Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 2,294 people, wounded 7,544, and displaced more than one million, according to official figures. The latest strike raises concerns that the fragile truce may be unraveling.