Israel warned on Sunday that its military would intensify operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, despite a November 2024 ceasefire. The warning came a day after a deadly Israeli air strike killed four people in Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh district, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hezbollah’s actions risk reigniting conflict, stating: “Hezbollah is playing with fire, and the president of Lebanon is dragging his feet. The Lebanese government’s commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented.
“Maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify, we will not allow any threat to the residents of the north,” Katz added.
Netanyahu accuses Hezbollah of rearming
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to rearm, telling the cabinet: “We expect the Lebanese government to fulfil its commitment (to disarm Hezbollah).. but we will exercise our right of self-defence.” He added, “We will not allow Lebanon to become a renewed front against us, and we will act as necessary.”
Israeli forces have maintained a presence in five areas of southern Lebanon and continued regular strikes despite the truce. On Thursday, Israeli troops launched a deadly raid in southern Lebanon, prompting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to order the army to confront such incursions. Aoun had earlier called for talks with Israel after US President Donald Trump helped broker a Gaza ceasefire, but he later accused Israel of responding to his peace offer with intensified attacks.
Consequently, the Israeli army confirmed the Nabatiyeh strike, saying it killed a Hezbollah Radwan Force member involved in transferring weapons, stating: “The terrorists’ activities posed a threat to Israel and violated understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” adding that three other Hezbollah members also killed.
Conflict background
The war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted after Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel following the Gaza conflict in October 2023, with thousands of Israelis fleeing northern towns during months of cross-border violence.
In September 2024, Israel killed Hezbollah’s longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and several senior officials, as the group remains armed and financially supported by Iran despite major losses. Lebanon has since pledged to place all weapons under state control and said its army has started implementing the plan in the south. However, Israeli officials insist Hezbollah still poses a significant threat.
