Israeli army strikes Lebanon despite US-mediated truce deal

The Israeli army launched airstrikes against multiple locations in southern Lebanon on Thursday, claiming the attacks were in retaliation for overnight explosive drone launches by Hezbollah, as cross-border violence continued to test the limits of a recently signed US-mediated withdrawal agreement.

Strikes target southern towns

Israeli warplanes targeted several towns in the Nabatieh governorate on Thursday afternoon, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. The agency reported that an Israeli drone conducted two strikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while warplanes hit Arab Salim in the Iqlim al-Tuffah area, causing injuries. Earlier in the day, explosions rocked the coastal city of Tyre and surrounding villages as aircraft struck buildings in Mansouri.

The Israeli army said that "Overnight, Hezbollah launched two explosive drones toward IDF soldiers operating in the area of the Ali-Taher Ridge within the Security Zone in southern Lebanon," adding that troops downed one aircraft while losing contact with the second. Israeli Channel 12 reported that the strikes were carried out at 1225 GMT "in response to the launch of two explosive drones at its forces during the night." No injuries were reported among Israeli forces, and Hezbollah had not commented on the incident by the time of publication.

Ground incursion reported

Israeli forces also advanced into Lebanese territory west of Mais al-Jabal in the Marjayoun district, accompanied by tanks and military bulldozers, according to the same Lebanese reports. Artillery shelling targeted residential areas in several southern border towns, though casualty figures from the bombardment were not immediately available. The military activity marks the latest in a series of violations that have continued since hostilities resumed in March.

US-brokered framework

The violence persists despite a US-led framework agreement signed in June providing for gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for Lebanese army deployment and armed group disarmament. Tensions have remained high since March, when hostilities resumed following the collapse of previous ceasefire arrangements.