Israel hits southern Lebanon as Hamas agrees to ceasefire from there

Yahoo

08-05-2025

Tel Aviv/Beirut (dpa) — Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of heavy airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, targeting a Hezbollah site near the city of Nabatieh, according to Lebanese security sources.
At least 15 strikes were reported in the area, resulting in the death of one person and leaving eight others injured, Lebanon's Health Ministry said.
The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating that the targeted Hezbollah facility was used to manage weapons systems related to both offence and defence.
The base was described as part of a major underground project run by the Iranian-backed militia.
"The strike targeted terrorists, weapons and tunnels," the military said, adding that the facility has been rendered inoperable.
Israel accused Hezbollah of violating a ceasefire agreement that has officially been in place since late November 2023.
Though both sides have repeatedly blamed each other for violations, Israel maintains it will continue to strike militant targets in Lebanon if deemed necessary to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities.
The latest escalation highlights the fragility of the truce between Hezbollah — an ally of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas — and Israel, as tensions in the region remain high.
Hamas, which mainly operates in the Gaza Strip and was responsible for attacking Israel, along with others on October 7, 2023, which started the current conflict, said on Thursday that it is fully committed to an Israel-Lebanese ceasefire.
This came after a recent rocket-launching incident by Hamas that raised tensions there.
In a statement, Ahmad Abdel Hadi, Hamas's representative in Lebanon, said the group had informed Lebanese authorities of its stance and was cooperating with the state to address the matter.
He described the rocket fire as an unauthorized act carried out by individuals reacting emotionally to Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza. Hamas, he emphasized, had no prior knowledge of the launch and did not approve it.
In response to a formal request by Lebanese authorities, Hamas handed over three of the four individuals allegedly involved and is continuing coordination with Lebanese security services.
Despite the November ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes and intermittent rocket fire from Lebanese territory have continued, including two unclaimed attacks on March 22 and 28. Israel has said it reserves the right to continue targeting militant groups in Lebanon. On Wednesday, another Hamas commander was killed in such an attack.
In April, the Lebanese Army arrested several Lebanese and Palestinian individuals reportedly connected to those attacks, including three members of Hamas, according to security sources.
Abdel Hadi called his recent meetings with senior Lebanese officials 'positive and constructive,' and denied rumors of tension with the state.
He stressed Hamas's respect for Lebanese sovereignty, stability, and laws.
The statement also said Jordan had not raised any concerns about Hamas's presence in Lebanon, following claims by Jordan's Intelligence Department that it foiled plots linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, a group ideologically close to Hamas.