Lebanese reports say the Israeli Air Force struck at least 10 sites across southern Lebanon after the purported 16:00 ceasefire took effect. IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said forces retain unrestricted operational freedom against any threat, accusing Hezbollah of violating the truce and trying to preserve its military capabilities.
Friday's strikes — at least 10 according to Lebanese reports — follow a pattern the Zioneer has reported all day. A US-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect at 16:00 Jerusalem time. But the IDF continued hitting targets in southern Lebanon after that hour, targeting main Hezbollah tunnel networks near the Beaufort Castle and Ali Taher ridge.
In a briefing at 17:13, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated that Israeli forces have full operational freedom to act against any threat despite the ceasefire, and accused Hezbollah of violating it by obstructing the IDF's ongoing demolition of command tunnels. “There are no restrictions when it comes to removing threats,” he said.
As reported earlier today (16:50 bulletin), the IAF struck 11 southern Lebanon towns after 16:00. The same thread also recorded at least 150 Israeli strikes since midnight (16:57 bulletin). The earliest Zioneer coverage in this thread (16:15 article) noted Jerusalem's acknowledgment of the ceasefire while affirming operational freedom.
Lebanese reports have not been independently confirmed by Israeli military spokespeople; the IDF has stated the strikes are a response to Hezbollah's repeated ceasefire violations, which included claims of the first attack on Israeli forces since the truce began (Monday 21:13).
3 developments
- StrongAl-Mayadeen: Over 16 Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since declared ceasefire
- DevelopingLebanese reports: over 10 Israeli strikes since ceasefire declared
- StrongIDF says Hezbollah ceasefire violations require ongoing southern Lebanon operations
- DevelopingIDF says it struck 70+ Hezbollah sites, eliminated seven operatives from underground route
Source and signal
- Internal intake