The Israeli military stated on Sunday that it had attacked Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, continuing strikes on targets in the neighboring country, despite more than nine months having passed since a ceasefire with the Iran-backed group.
Sunday’s strikes also targeted underground positions near Beaufort Castle, a Crusader fortress known locally as Qal’at al-Shaqif, southeast of Arnoun, after Israel detected “military activity” in the area, the Israeli army said in a statement.
“The existence of the site and the activity within it constitute violations of agreements between Israel and Lebanon,” the military said, justifying the strikes.
The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported two airstrikes near the city of Nabatieh, according to RFE/RL.
No casualties have been reported, although residents said they heard powerful explosions during the attacks.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, despite the November 27 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which aimed to end more than a year of fighting, including two months of intense clashes that weakened the Iran-aligned movement.
Under the terms of that agreement, Hezbollah was to withdraw its fighters north of the Litani River—approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli border—leaving security in the southern region to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers.
In return, Israel was expected to fully withdraw its troops from Lebanese territory.
However, Israel has maintained forces at five sites it considers strategically important.
Beaufort Castle is located north of the river but near the Israeli border.
