Hezbollah said it struck Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon with drones and anti-tank missiles tonight — the first time it has claimed an attack since the ceasefire took effect, according to Israeli media. The claim signals a major escalation in the fragile post-ceasefire period.
Hezbollah publicly claimed responsibility for an attack on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon tonight (Monday, 21:12 Jerusalem time) — the first time the terror group has openly taken credit for an assault since the ceasefire with Iran came into effect earlier today. In its claim, Hezbollah specified that the attack was carried out using drones and anti-tank missiles. No immediate details were released on casualties or the precise location within southern Lebanon.
The claim follows an earlier Hezbollah statement at 18:55 Jerusalem, in which the group said it had resumed attacks on Israeli forces after withholding fire yesterday following the digital agreement, and fired mortar shells and anti-tank missiles at an area where troops were reported active. That claim was initially noted as unverified. The current claim, issued roughly two hours later, elaborates on the weaponry used and is reported by multiple Israeli news outlets, strengthening the credibility of the account.
Earlier today, as The Zioneer reported at 17:00 Jerusalem, the IDF carried out its first airstrike in Lebanon since the ceasefire was announced, striking a vehicle in the Tebnit area. A subsequent bulletin at 18:53 Jerusalem noted that the IDF has halted advances into new territory but continues to hold captured areas and destroy infrastructure there. Hezbollah had previously rejected a return to the pre-March status quo, as The Zioneer reported.
The ceasefire, which followed a wave of direct Israeli strikes on Iran and a subsequent pause in hostilities confirmed by Prime Minister Netanyahu at 18:52 Jerusalem, reduced fighting on the northern border. Tonight's Hezbollah attack and claim of responsibility now threaten to unravel that relative calm, in line with the equation Netanyahu rejected earlier in the day.
Hezbollah has not yet stated whether the attack is a one-time response or signals a new operational phase. Israeli security sources are assessing the situation.
3 developments
- DevelopingHezbollah claims responsibility for drone strike on Israeli troops near Naqoura
- DevelopingHezbollah claims attack on IDF force in southern Lebanon village of Rshaf
- DevelopingHezbollah confirms IDF ground forces at edge of Tebnit village, near Nabatieh
- DevelopingHezbollah admits violating ceasefire understandings, targets IDF bases
Source and signal
- Internal intake