Israel and Hezbollah exchanged accusations of breaking their ceasefire Thursday, just one day after the U.S.-French brokered truce took effect, with Israeli tanks firing on six Lebanese border areas and disputes erupting over civilian returns.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah claimed Israel attacked “those returning to the border villages,” while Israeli forces reported ceasefire violations by suspects approaching the southern zone. Lebanese security sources confirmed Israeli tank fire struck six locations within two kilometers of the border, wounding two people in Markaba.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to prevent Lebanese residents from returning to border villages, contradicting Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s announcement authorizing civilian returns. Israeli troops remain in Lebanese territory with surveillance drones patrolling the region.
The ceasefire agreement allows Israel 60 days to withdraw while prohibiting offensive operations from either side. The deal halted fighting that killed 3,823 people in Lebanon and 118 on the Israeli side, including 73 soldiers, according to official figures.
Hezbollah, which lost its leader Hassan Nasrallah to Israeli strikes, warned its fighters remain “fully equipped” to respond to Israeli actions and will monitor the withdrawal “with their hands on the trigger.”
