The Israeli military has carried out a new round of air strikes in southern Lebanon, less than a day after Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in decades. Residents of the towns of Mjadel, Baraachit, Jbaa, and Mahrouna were told to evacuate areas around locations that the Israeli military alleged were weapon warehouses belonging to the Iranian-backed group. No casualties have been reported.
An Israeli military spokesman stated that the sites constituted a ceasefire violation and warned that it would continue to operate 'to remove any threat' to Israel. Israel has conducted near-daily strikes on Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect in November 2024, following 13 months of conflict.
There was no immediate comment from Lebanese leaders in response to Thursday's strikes. Lebanese politicians have previously condemned similar strikes as ceasefire violations. Under the first phase of a deal brokered by the US and France, Israeli troops were to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah was to remove its fighters and weapons from south of the Litani river, a plan that the group and its allies oppose.
Israel has maintained positions at strategic border sites and has escalated air strikes in recent weeks, citing Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild military infrastructure and what they view as inadequate Lebanese government efforts to disarm the group.
The recent strikes came shortly after Israeli and Lebanese civilian envoys convened for direct talks in Naqoura, hosted at the UN peacekeeping mission's headquarters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office noted that the meeting 'took place in a good atmosphere' with agreements to explore economic cooperation.
However, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam commented on the need to focus on 'defusing tension,' emphasizing that Lebanon's priorities were halting hostilities, releasing detainees, and Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory. He indicated openness to deploying French and US troops to help verify disarmament efforts.
These military actions and diplomatic shifts align with a UN Security Council delegation’s visit to Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing review of the stalled ceasefire implementation.
An Israeli military spokesman stated that the sites constituted a ceasefire violation and warned that it would continue to operate 'to remove any threat' to Israel. Israel has conducted near-daily strikes on Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect in November 2024, following 13 months of conflict.
There was no immediate comment from Lebanese leaders in response to Thursday's strikes. Lebanese politicians have previously condemned similar strikes as ceasefire violations. Under the first phase of a deal brokered by the US and France, Israeli troops were to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah was to remove its fighters and weapons from south of the Litani river, a plan that the group and its allies oppose.
Israel has maintained positions at strategic border sites and has escalated air strikes in recent weeks, citing Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild military infrastructure and what they view as inadequate Lebanese government efforts to disarm the group.
The recent strikes came shortly after Israeli and Lebanese civilian envoys convened for direct talks in Naqoura, hosted at the UN peacekeeping mission's headquarters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office noted that the meeting 'took place in a good atmosphere' with agreements to explore economic cooperation.
However, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam commented on the need to focus on 'defusing tension,' emphasizing that Lebanon's priorities were halting hostilities, releasing detainees, and Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory. He indicated openness to deploying French and US troops to help verify disarmament efforts.
These military actions and diplomatic shifts align with a UN Security Council delegation’s visit to Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing review of the stalled ceasefire implementation.
