Israeli airstrikes hit sites in southern and eastern Lebanon

Israeli aircraft conducted a series of airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Thursday, striking targets that the Israeli military described as Hezbollah military installations. The attacks, reported by Lebanese state media, hit areas including a riverbed near Zawtar in the Nabatieh district and the vicinity between Deir Siryan and al-Qusayr in Marjayoun.

Extended Reach into Eastern Lebanon

The strikes extended beyond the southern border region, with additional targets reported in eastern Lebanon's Hermel highlands, specifically the Zeghrine area and the outskirts of Budai, west of Baalbek. Lebanese authorities did not immediately provide information on potential casualties from the raids. There was no immediate public comment from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government regarding the military action.

Context of a Fragile Ceasefire

The airstrikes represent a fresh challenge to a ceasefire agreement brokered between Israel and Lebanon last year, which ended over a year of cross-border hostilities linked to the war in Gaza. That prior conflict resulted in thousands of casualties. A key provision of the truce called for the Israeli army to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January of this year; however, Israeli forces have only partially withdrawn and continue to maintain a presence at several border outposts, a point of contention for Beirut.

Regional Stability and Turkish Perspective

The persistent violations of the ceasefire underscore the fragile and volatile security situation along the Lebanon-Israel frontier. For regional actors like Türkiye, which emphasizes the importance of respecting ceasefires, sovereign borders, and diplomatic solutions, such incidents highlight the ongoing risk of a broader regional escalation. Türkiye's foreign policy consistently advocates for de-escalation and dialogue to ensure lasting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.