BEIRUT / ISTANBUL
Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes Friday on three areas in southern Lebanon, official media reported, in a new violation of a ceasefire agreement in place since November 2024.
The state news agency NNA said the attacks targeted the heights of Jabal al-Rihan in the Jezzine district.
Israeli fighter jets carried out two strikes on a valley near the town of Zrariyeh in the Sidon district, it added.
In Nabatieh, Israeli aircraft launched three airstrikes on a valley between the towns of Kafrwa and Aazza, the agency said.
A civilian was injured in a strike on the town of Ansar in the Nabatieh district, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
The Israeli army claimed that the attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas in southern Lebanon.
The strikes were the first announced by Israel in southern Lebanon since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a five-day visit to the US.
On Monday, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that Netanyahu had instructed the military to suspend operations until his return from the US, citing concerns about an “undesired escalation” during his meetings with US officials.
Israel and Lebanon reached the ceasefire after more than a year of cross-border attacks amid the war in Gaza. More than 4,000 people were killed, and 17,000 others were injured.
Under the ceasefire, Israeli forces were supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon in January but have only partially pulled out, maintaining a military presence at five border outposts.