Hezbollah calls ceasefire "meaningless" as Israel strikes continue in south

Iran-backed Hezbollah has dismissed a U.S.-mediated ceasefire with Israel as “meaningless,” citing ongoing Israeli attacks despite a three-week extension announced by Donald Trump.

The ceasefire, agreed between the governments of Lebanon and Israel, was extended on April 23 following talks in Washington, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, Hezbollah — which is not a party to the deal — rejected its legitimacy amid continued hostilities in southern Lebanon.

Responding to the extension, Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad said "it is essential to point out that the ceasefire is meaningless in light of Israel's insistence on hostile acts, including assassinations, shelling, and gunfire" and its demolition of villages and towns in the south.

"Every Israeli attack ... gives the resistance the right to a proportionate response," he added.

Despite a reduction in overall violence since the April 16 truce, clashes have persisted. The Lebanese health ministry said an Israeli airstrike killed two people in the southern village of Touline on Friday. Earlier in the week, Israeli strikes killed at least five people, including a journalist.

Hezbollah and the Israeli military both confirmed the downing of an Israeli drone, identified by the group as a Hermes 450.

Israel has maintained troops in a self-declared buffer zone extending 5 to 10 km into southern Lebanon, saying the measure is necessary to protect northern Israeli communities from rocket fire. The fighting reignited on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks in support of Iran amid broader regional tensions.

The Israeli military also warned residents of the southern town of Deir Aames to evacuate, citing planned operations against what it described as Hezbollah activities — the first such warning issued since the ceasefire took effect.

Frustration is growing among civilians on both sides of the border. "What's this? Is this called a ceasefire? Or is this mocking (people's) intelligence?" said Naem Saleh, a 73-year-old newsstand owner in Beirut.

In northern Israel, residents expressed doubts about the truce’s durability. “I believe that the ceasefire is so fragile, and unfortunately it won’t stand long, in my opinion,” said Eliad Eini, a resident of Nahariya near the border.

Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter said Lebanon should accept the temporary presence of Israeli forces, while Lebanese Ambassador Nada Moawad called for full respect of the ceasefire as a basis for future negotiations.

Lebanon has said it aims to secure a full Israeli withdrawal in subsequent talks. Trump expressed optimism about a potential agreement, saying there was “a great chance” Israel and Lebanon could reach peace this year.

According to Lebanese authorities, nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2. Israel says Hezbollah attacks have killed two civilians, while 15 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon over the same period.