Beirut questions Israel’s commitment to ceasefire as violations surpass 4,500 since agreement
BEIRUT — The Israeli military on Thursday evening resumed airstrikes on Hezbollah positions south and north of the Litani River, targeting areas around Dibbin, Mays Al-Jabal, and Kfar Tibnit. The raids injured at least one Syrian national and damaged residential property, sparking fresh fears among civilians in southern Lebanon.
A second wave of strikes later hit Burj Qalaya and Al-Shahabiya in the Tyre district. Lebanese security officials noted the timing of the raids coincides with Hezbollah’s preparations to mark the first anniversary of the assassinations of its Secretary-Generals Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, describing the strikes as a clear message of continued pursuit. The source predicted further escalation as the Sept. 27 anniversary approaches.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, informed of the attacks during a Cabinet session, condemned Israel’s actions, asking: “How can it be possible to continue intimidation and attacks while meetings are supposed to ensure full implementation of Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities?”
The Cabinet called on the international community, particularly the signatories of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, to pressure Israel into halting its operations and returning to negotiations. Under the agreement, Israel pledged to cease attacks, withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories, and release detainees.
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee defended the strikes, claiming they were in response to Hezbollah’s attempts to rebuild operations. In a video message, he urged residents to evacuate targeted buildings, warning that remaining would put them “in danger.” Heavy traffic on the Kfar Tibnit-Nabatieh Al-Fawqa road reflected the displacement of families fleeing threatened areas.
The strikes followed a Wednesday night operation in Baalbek that killed Hussein Saifo Sharif, described by Israel as a major arms dealer supplying networks in Syria. Lebanon’s Army Command, however, condemned the escalation, revealing that it has documented over 4,500 Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty by land, sea, and air since the ceasefire agreement took effect in November 2024.
The Army Command further reported Thursday’s raids caused civilian casualties in populated areas and warned that persistent violations obstruct its deployment plan south of the Litani. Meanwhile, a specialized military unit dismantled an alleged Israeli spy device hidden in the Labbouneh-Tyre area, highlighting ongoing tensions beyond the air campaign.