Israel launched airstrikes across several locations in Lebanon on Saturday, retaliating for a rocket attack and resulting in the deaths of six people.
This marks the heaviest exchange of fire since the ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah began nearly four months ago.
The latest violence has raised concerns about the stability of the truce, especially after Israel resumed military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attack, reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office instructed the military to target dozens of locations in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based. According to the Israeli army, six rockets were fired towards Metula, a town on the Lebanese border. Three of these rockets crossed into Israel but were intercepted.
Israel struck Hezbollah command centers and rocket launchers, while a strike on the southern Lebanese village of Touline killed five people, including a child, and wounded ten others. Additional strikes in Tyre and Hawsh al-Sayed Ali village also resulted in casualties.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for necessary measures but expressed his country’s desire to avoid a return to full-scale war.
The conflict with Hezbollah flared up in the wake of Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, and the subsequent military operations led to significant casualties. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been fragile, with Israeli forces remaining in certain parts of southern Lebanon, despite the agreed withdrawal deadlines.
Lebanon has sought U.N. intervention to pressure Israel into fully withdrawing its forces. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the potential escalation of violence.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continued, with Israel escalating its operations until Hamas releases hostages, including 24 believed to be alive. These attacks have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, further intensifying the conflict.
Protests have erupted in Israel over the government’s handling of the hostage situation and its move to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet internal security service, Ronen Bar. The Supreme Court has temporarily halted his dismissal, with widespread calls for new elections if the government defies the ruling.
