Israeli Air Force strikes multiple Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

The Israeli Air Force has launched strikes on several Hezbollah military positions in Lebanon.

According to a statement issued by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the airstrikes targeted sites identified as military infrastructure and rocket launchers allegedly operated by Hezbollah’s armed units, Caliber.Az reports.

The attacks were carried out in regions where Israeli forces say they detected terrorist activity linked to the Shiite militant group.

In its statement, the IDF asserted that Hezbollah's presence and military operations in these zones constitute a blatant breach of the ceasefire agreements between Israel and Lebanon. “The Israel Defence Forces will continue to act to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel and will prevent any attempts by Hezbollah to rebuild its terrorist capabilities,” the IDF press office emphasised.

This new round of escalation follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 240 hostages. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Gaza. Shortly thereafter, Hezbollah opened a northern front, firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon.

By autumn 2024, these cross-border attacks had intensified into a full-fledged war. According to Lebanon’s health authorities, Israeli strikes throughout the conflict killed over 3,800 Lebanese citizens, wounded approximately 15,700, and displaced nearly 1 million people.

The World Bank estimates Lebanon’s economic damage from the war at around $14 billion. Hezbollah reportedly incurred severe losses in leadership, manpower, weaponry, and public support.

A ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States and France came into effect on November 27, 2024. It was based on the framework of United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Lebanon War. The deal required a full Israeli withdrawal and obligated Hezbollah to pull its fighters north of the Litani River and dismantle all military sites in southern Lebanon.

Despite the truce, Israel continues to maintain a presence in several contested areas, including Jal Al-Deir and Jabal Blat in the Bint Jbeil district, Labbouneh and Alma Al-Shaab in Tyre, and Hamames Hill and a new outpost along the Markaba-Houla road in Marjayoun.

An Israeli military spokesperson told media that their troops would remain at these strategic locations “to defend Israeli citizens, to make sure this process is complete and eventually hand it over to the Lebanese armed forces.”

Meanwhile, concerns have grown over ongoing Israeli actions in Lebanon post-ceasefire. In April, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned of a surge in Israeli military operations. According to a preliminary review by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least 71 civilians have been killed and significant civilian infrastructure has been destroyed since the truce took effect.

By Tamilla Hasanova