Israel announced on Thursday that it had carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah military positions in southern Lebanon, aiming to prevent the militant group from regrouping in the area.
The United States mediated a ceasefire in November between Lebanon and Israel following over a year of conflict sparked by the Gaza war. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued periodic strikes against Hezbollah, which receives support from Iran across the border.
Hezbollah is designated a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its military wing, but not its political party.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted unspecified locations, aiming to hit Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in response to illegal attempts by the group to resume activities in the region. Residents of three villages were warned to evacuate.
The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) confirmed the attacks, while there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, and Hezbollah had not responded at the time of reporting.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized the evacuation warning, stating that it contradicts international efforts for peace. He emphasized that the Lebanese government is committed to preventing hostilities and ensuring the implementation of a UN resolution that ended the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
Lebanon remains under pressure from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and internal Hezbollah rivals to disarm the group. Hezbollah has maintained that disarmament would be a grave mistake while Israel continues airstrikes and occupies parts of southern Lebanon.
