The Israel Defense Forces said it conducted continuous strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight, killing approximately 20 operatives, some of whom were buried under rubble. The operation was described by a military source as a "ceasefire" — punishment for violations of the declared truce — despite the lack of an official ceasefire announcement.
The Israel Defense Forces reported Saturday morning that it eliminated approximately 20 Hezbollah operatives in continuous strikes across southern Lebanon overnight, some of whom were buried under rubble. A military source described the operation as a "ceasefire" — a punitive response to what the IDF says are Hezbollah's ongoing violations of the declared truce. The strikes mark a major uptick in a night that began with the IAF hitting dozens of targets after midnight, with early Lebanese reports counting at least five killed; by 09:42 the reported toll had risen to at least 12 dead across the Nabatieh district, Tyre area, Jezzine, and the Beqaa Valley, according to the single-source Abu Ali Express channel.
This overnight action is the latest in a thread the Zioneer has tracked since Saturday 09:42, when reporting began: version 1 documented the IAF launching strikes at 00:00; version 2 reported five killed and dozens wounded; version 3 described rescue teams searching rubble for survivors; and version 4 raised the death toll to at least 12. What began as a single channel's report has now been supplemented by a direct IDF claim of 20 operatives eliminated — though the military has not issued an official statement or casualty figures beyond the source's channel. Across the wider thread, corroboration has varied: on June 14 the IDF announced it struck 70+ sites and eliminated seven operatives from an underground route; by June 19 Lebanese sources reported at least 10 Israeli strikes after the purported ceasefire deadline, and the IDF Spokesperson confirmed full freedom of action.
As The Zioneer reported on June 8, ground forces have also carried out controlled demolitions in Bint Jbeil, A-Tiri, and Khiam. On June 19, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated the military retains unrestricted operational freedom against any threat, accusing Hezbollah of trying to preserve its military capabilities. On June 15, Lebanese sources reported a pause in airstrikes but noted continued demolitions and artillery.
The precise operational scope, the number of casualties beyond the IDF's channel claim, and the meaning of the military source's "ceasefire" framing all remain unverified by independent sources. No official IDF statement has been released.
6 developments
- DevelopingIDF strikes dozens of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight
- StrongIDF strikes two Hezbollah headquarters in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley
- DevelopingIDF says it struck 70+ Hezbollah sites, eliminated seven operatives from underground route
- DevelopingAt least 8 killed as IDF continues airstrikes on southern Lebanon villages after evacuation warnings
Source and signal
- Internal intake