Israel’s military has said it has fired on “suspects” in southern Lebanon who were allegedly violating its ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Israeli tank fire hit six areas within two kilometres of a strip of land demarcating the border between Lebanon and Israel, state media and Lebanese security sources said.
It comes after Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah started a 60-day pause in their deadly conflict on Wednesday morning.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement: “Over the past hour, several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to a number of areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire. The IDF opened fire toward them.
“The IDF remains in southern Lebanon and will actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”
Israel had also imposed a last-minute curfew on Wednesday evening, forbidding any Lebanese citizens from crossing into the south of the country overnight, until 7am today [5am UK time].
Ceasefire deal
The ceasefire deal, published by Lebanon’s cabinet, marked an area delineated by a red line labelled “New 2024 line” running east-west across the country.
This area – mostly along the Litani River before diverging slightly north and covering the south of the country – must remain free of Hezbollah weapons, according to the deal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had the right to attack if the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) believed the terms had been violated, though Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have reportedly claimed otherwise.
On Wednesday, hours after the ceasefire started, Israel said it had arrested four Hezbollah militants near the Lebanese border with Israel after allegedly violating the terms.
On Thursday morning, Israeli tank fire struck Markaba, Wazzani and Kfarchouba, Khiyam, Taybe and the agricultural plains around Marjayoun, all of which lie within two kilometres of the line demarcating the border between Lebanon and Israel.
‘Hands of the trigger’
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has vowed to continue its resistance to Israel.
In its first statement since the ceasefire, the Iranian-backed militant group made no direct mention of the deal and vowed to continue resistance.
Hezbollah said its fighters “remain fully equipped to deal with the aspirations and assaults of the Israeli enemy”.
It added its forces would monitor Israel’s withdrawal “with their hands on the trigger”.
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The conflict across the Israeli-Lebanon border has claimed more than 3,760 lives – the vast majority Lebanese – and displaced more than one million people.
Israel has said its military aim fighting in Lebanon was to secure the return of 60,000 Israelis who fled communities in the country’s north.
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Asor Gal’it, returning to the Israeli border town of Metula, said on Wednesday she heard some shots when she arrived home.
“We were a little afraid, but we trust our army and let’s see what happens. Let’s hope for the best,” she said.
While the ceasefire has brought a cessation of violence in Lebanon, fighting remains ongoing in Gaza where Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas.
