IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the military will continue operating in southern Lebanon to remove threats and protect civilians, after four soldiers were killed overnight in a Hezbollah attack. He accused the group of hundreds of rocket and drone attacks on soldiers and civilians since the ceasefire, calling the violations a clear breach.
IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin on Friday evening delivered a statement following the overnight killing of four Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah fire in southern Lebanon. The attack, which Defrin described as a violation of the ceasefire, involved "hundreds of explosive drones and rockets" launched by the group in recent weeks, including last night. Defrin said the IDF would continue to operate inside Lebanese territory to "remove immediate threats" and prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding along the border.
The statement follows a day of heavy exchanges. Earlier on Friday, as The Zioneer reported at 17:14, at least 10 Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon as Defrin accused Hezbollah of repeated breaches. By 09:18, the IDF had already launched a wave of strikes in response to what it called "significant" violations. Friday night's casualties mark the first combat deaths of Israeli troops since the ceasefire came into effect, deepening the military's resolve to maintain freedom of action. Defrin stressed: "We will not wait for the next attack to reach our homes."
2 developments
- StrongAt least 10 Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon after declared ceasefire, IDF says it retains full freedom of action
- StrongNetanyahu, Katz define Hezbollah attacks on IDF troops in southern Lebanon as ceasefire violations, ordering massive strikes
- StrongIDF maintains strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingIDF says it struck 70+ Hezbollah sites, eliminated seven operatives from underground route
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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