Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes on several towns in southern Lebanon, signaling a heightened frequency in their attacks on the country. The airstrikes defied a ceasefire agreement established in November 2024 and came shortly after Hezbollah advised the Lebanese government against engaging in negotiations with Israel.
Residents in Tayba, Tayr Debba, and Aita al-Jabal were instructed by Israeli Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee to evacuate 500 meters from targeted residential buildings allegedly utilized by Hezbollah. Subsequently, warnings were issued for Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Kfar Dounin.
Lebanon’s civil defense agency assisted in evacuating the areas as reported by the Lebanese state news agency. While most residents evacuated the threatened zones before the airstrikes, Lebanonâs health ministry confirmed one person injured. Earlier strikes on Thursday resulted in one fatality, according to the ministry.
The Israeli military stated that the airstrikes targeted Hezbollah military infrastructure in those locations, which included “weapons storage facilities constructed within civilian-populated areas.” They accused Hezbollah of enhancing its capabilities nearly a year after the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect.
Since the ceasefire, Hezbollah has refrained from attacking Israel.
The strikes on Thursday resulted in the destruction of an ironworks business in the town of Abbasiyeh in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon has experienced over 270 deaths and around 850 injuries due to Israeli military actions following the ceasefire, according to Lebanonâs health ministry. As of October 9, the U.N. human rights office confirmed that 107 of the casualties were civilians or noncombatants, stated spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan.
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian emphasized Israel’s commitment to defending its borders and enforcing the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon during a media briefing on Thursday.
Fears have risen in Lebanon of a potential resumption of extensive aerial bombardments by Israel, especially after Israeli leaders warned of taking action against Hezbollah unless Lebanon accelerated efforts to disarm the group.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed readiness for negotiations with Israel to diffuse tensions, a move opposed by Hezbollah. The militant group asserted its right to resist Israeli occupation and pledged support to the Lebanese army.
Hezbollah clarified that while Lebanon was bound by the ceasefire, it was not obliged to engage in political talks with Israel.
The group’s military capabilities were significantly impacted by Israel’s aggressive air campaign in Lebanon in 2024. However, Hezbollah’s leader Sheikh Naim Qassem affirmed the group’s readiness to fight regardless of its limited capabilities.
The Lebanese army aims to clear all arms outside state control from southern Lebanon by year-end, with progress reported by senior security officials. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions targeting “financial operatives overseeing funds movement from Iran” to Hezbollah.
Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire that ended the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict in 2024, which originated from a Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023, escalating into a full-scale war by 2024.
