IDF Carries Out Airstrikes In Lebanon As Hezbollah, Israel Accuse Each Other Of Ceasefire Violations

Lebanese families displaced from their homes near the southern border have tried to return to check on their properties but this has been difficult since Israeli troops are stationed at the border.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Thursday that it carried out airstrikes on a Hezbollah facility where the militant group stores mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon after both sides accused each other of breaching the ceasefire that aims to halt over a year of fighting. According to The Times Of Israel, IDF troops fired warning shots at “suspects” who approached the border areas that are still off-limits according to the truce, which came into effect on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused Israel of violating the deal.

As per Reuters, Fadlallah said that the “Israeli enemy” was attacking those returning to the border village. The Lebanese army later accused Israel of violating the ceasefire several times on Wednesday and Thursday.

This exchange of accusations highlights the fragility of the ceasefire brokered by the United States and France to halt the conflict, which unfolded alongside the Gaza war. The truce lasts for 60 days in the hope of reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities.

Since the ceasefire took effect on Wednesday, Israel's airstrike on Thursday was the first. According to Reuters, it occurred near Baysariyah, north of the Litani River. However, the ceasefire deal stipulates that unauthorised military facilities south of the Litani River should be dismantled, but does not mention military facilities north of the river.

Earlier, Israeli tank fire hit five towns and some agricultural fields in southern Lebanon which wounded at least two people. All the areas that lie within the 2 km of the Blue Line separate the borders between Israel and Lebanon the Israeli military has announced as a no-go zone along the border, even after the deal was agreed.

In a statement, the Israeli military that it had identified several suspicious activities that posed a threat and violated the conditions of the ceasefire agreement. "Any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire," said Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi.

Later on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had directed the military to be prepared for intense fighting if the ceasefire is violated.

"We are enforcing powerfully," Netanyahu was quoted as saying. "But if needed I gave a directive to the IDF - be prepared in case there is a violation of the framework of the ceasefire, for an intense war."

Meanwhile, displaced Lebanese families near the southern border have tried to return to check on their properties. But Israeli troops remain stationed within Lebanese territory in towns along the border. The reporters of Reuters heard surveillance drones flying over parts of southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military on Thursday renewed a curfew restricting the movement of residents of southern Lebanon south of the Litani River between 5 pm and 7 am (local time). 

This agreement is considered a rare diplomatic feat in a region racked by conflict, ending the deadliest confrontation between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in years. But Israel is still fighting the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israeli forces can take up to 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon but neither side can launch offensive operations.