Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon in breach of ceasefire terms

Israeli military aircraft carried out a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon early Thursday, hitting multiple locations in a fresh violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. The attacks targeted the Al-Khanouk area in the Aitaroun municipality and the outskirts of Tayr Falsay, according to reports from Lebanon's National News Agency.

Details of the Airstrikes

The Lebanese state media reported that Israeli warplanes used air-to-surface missiles in the assaults. The western outskirts of the town of Tayr Falsay in the Tyre district were reportedly struck and then re-targeted in two subsequent stages. The Israeli army stated the raids targeted a weapon storage facility and two infrastructure sites used by the Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon.

Ceasefire Violations and Regional Tensions

These latest military actions directly contravene the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, which stipulated that the Israeli army would completely withdraw from southern Lebanon by January. Instead, Israeli forces have only partially withdrawn and continue to maintain a presence at five border outposts. Tensions along the border have been escalating for weeks, with near-daily Israeli air incursions into Lebanese territory.

Broader Context of the Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Lebanon, which escalated into a full-scale offensive in September 2024 after beginning in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties. The ongoing violence and repeated ceasefire breaches continue to destabilize the region, raising concerns about the potential for a wider confrontation. Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah had not issued an immediate response to Thursday's attacks.