Israeli artillery and airstrikes targeted southern Lebanon on Saturday after Israel intercepted rockets fired from across the border, raising concerns over the fragile truce that ended a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The war had been the deadliest spillover of the Gaza conflict, with months of border clashes before a decisive Israeli offensive eliminated many top Hezbollah commanders, fighters, and military assets.
Hezbollah distanced itself from the recent rocket attack, stating it had no involvement and remained committed to the ceasefire. No group has claimed responsibility. An Israeli official confirmed that six rockets were launched, with three crossing into Israel and being intercepted.
This marks the first exchange of fire since Israel abandoned a separate ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas, a Hezbollah ally backed by Iran. The Israeli military reported that three rockets were launched from a Lebanese area approximately six kilometers north of the border toward Metula, the second such incident since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to strike “dozens of terror targets in Lebanon.” The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed attacks on Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command center in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s state news agency reported multiple Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling in the country’s southern regions, affecting border towns and hilltops up to eight kilometers inside Lebanese territory. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, Israeli airstrikes killed two people and wounded eight near the border. No casualties were reported in Israel.
In Gaza, local health officials stated that five Palestinians, including a child, were killed by Israeli fire in Beit Lahiya and Gaza City. The Israeli military claimed no knowledge of attacks in those areas but was investigating the reports. In Rafah, a southern Gaza city near Egypt, an Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians, according to Gazan medics, though the IDF has not provided immediate comment.
The United Nations has warned of a deteriorating situation. Under the terms of the November ceasefire, Hezbollah was supposed to disarm in southern Lebanon, while Israeli ground forces were to withdraw, allowing the Lebanese army to secure the area. The Lebanese military reported dismantling three rocket launchers in the south. President Joseph Aoun directed the Lebanese army to prevent any actions that could destabilize the country. Netanyahu placed full responsibility on Lebanon’s government, stating, “Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens and its sovereignty and will take all necessary actions to protect its people and northern communities.”
UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, expressed concern over the renewed hostilities, warning that further escalation could have grave regional consequences. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam cautioned that military operations in the south could resume, emphasizing Lebanon’s sovereignty in matters of war and peace.
The ceasefire had ended Israel’s heavy bombardment and ground operations in Lebanon, as well as Hezbollah’s daily rocket attacks on Israel. Both sides now accuse each other of failing to uphold their commitments. Israel asserts that Hezbollah still maintains military infrastructure in the south, while Lebanon and Hezbollah argue that Israel continues to occupy Lebanese land by conducting airstrikes and maintaining troop positions on five strategic hilltops near the border.
