Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 20 people on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA said, one day after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect, aimed at halting months of escalating violence.
Israel said the strikes were a response to projectiles fired overnight by the Iran-backed group. An Israeli military official said Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, prompting attacks on what the official described as “Hezbollah targets”.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes and drones had struck multiple locations in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Hezbollah accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations, and warned that continued attacks “will not pass without a response”. It urged Washington to pressure Israel to halt its attacks.
An Israeli military official said the military had received updated directives from the political leadership to cease fire and was not conducting proactive strikes, but operating defensively within what Israel calls a security zone.
The official said five Israeli soldiers had been killed by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon over the past 48 hours.
The Israeli military, which occupies parts of southern Lebanon, said Hezbollah’s attacks constituted repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement. It said it remained committed to the truce in line with political directives, and would respond decisively to any attacks on Israeli civilians or troops.
Hezbollah said it also remained committed to the ceasefire but would respond to any attempt by Israel to “seize territory or expand its occupation”.
The group said Israeli forces had attempted overnight to infiltrate the Ali al-Taher hill area in southern Lebanon. Its fighters engaged the troops, it said, after which Israel carried out air strikes both inside and outside its declared operational zone.
A senior Hezbollah official said the group would not allow Israel “freedom of movement” in occupied Lebanese territory, adding that armed resistance remained legitimate as long as Israeli forces stayed in Lebanon.