Israeli Strikes Hit South Lebanon After Ceasefire Takes Effect

Details

• A ceasefire agreement officially took effect across Lebanon at 4:00 PM, but Israeli warplanes, drones and artillery launched multiple strikes shortly afterward.

• The attacks targeted Nabatieh city, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Kfar Tibnit, Choukine, the area between Aba and Jibchit, and Qaaqaiyet el-Jisr.

• A drone strike in Habboush killed Hussein Taleb Khodr, an official with the Amal Movement.

• Israeli shelling also hit the Ali al-Taher hills, while airstrikes extended to areas in Jezzine, including Aramta and Rihane.

• Hezbollah sources said the group halted military operations at the designated ceasefire hour, while MP Ibrahim Mousawi stated that the movement would respect the truce as long as Israel does the same.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the army had struck 150 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including in the Bekaa Valley, and would remain in the southern security zone for as long as necessary.

• Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said Israeli attacks on Friday killed 56 people and wounded 97 others.

• President Joseph Aoun said the continued strikes aimed to undermine diplomatic efforts and reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to upcoming negotiations, stressing that a comprehensive ceasefire remains the path toward an Israeli withdrawal, army deployment and the return of detainees.

• Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the government would not compromise on any part of Lebanese territory and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that weapons remain exclusively under state authority.

• Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said attempts to eliminate the group had failed, asserting that the movement had maintained its capabilities throughout the conflict.

What to watch

The ceasefire now faces its first major test, with continued military activity threatening to derail efforts to stabilize the border ahead of next week’s talks in Washington.