Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed Israeli forces on Saturday to intensify military operations against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, sparking fears that the delicate ceasefire agreement may be on the verge of collapse just under two weeks since it began.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the Prime Minister commanded the Israel Defense Forces to target Hezbollah with increased force throughout Lebanon. Military officials reported eliminating over 15 Hezbollah militants during weekend operations while destroying military facilities throughout Lebanon’s southern region. Israeli commanders stated they would continue responding to security threats based on directives from the nation’s political leaders.
The current truce represents a diplomatic agreement between Israel and Lebanon, though it has failed to completely stop Israeli military actions against Hezbollah. Israeli officials maintain their nation reserves the authority to respond to direct security threats and Hezbollah military operations near the border, while Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah consider ongoing Israeli airstrikes, demolition activities, and military presence in southern Lebanese territory as breaches of the ceasefire terms.
Reports from Lebanese news outlets described extensive Israeli military operations throughout the southern region, with attacks targeting Hadatha, Zebqine, Bazourieh, Al Sultaniyah, and the Dabsha area near Khirbet Selm. Casualties included one fatality and one injury from an Israeli airstrike in Hadatha on Saturday evening, following two earlier strikes on the same community during the day.
Israeli military forces also conducted a planned demolition operation in Khiam, while Lebanese sources reported that troops removed solar panel installations and caused damage to municipal equipment in Debel.
Israeli security personnel expressed concerns about potential ceasefire failure, according to reporting by Kan TV News. The report indicated Israel seeks American assistance in encouraging Lebanese military forces to take stronger action against Hezbollah in areas north of the Israeli-maintained security zone in southern Lebanon.
The ceasefire agreement took effect during the night of April 16-17 following extended combat operations connected to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the current 10-day pause in hostilities would continue for an additional three-week period.
Hezbollah, which receives support from Iran, represents Lebanon’s most powerful armed organization. Israeli officials have declared they will prevent the group from reestablishing military installations near Israel’s northern frontier.
