Hezbollah announced on Tuesday evening that it had carried out its first offensive military operation since the ceasefire agreement came into effect, targeting an Israeli settlement in the Upper Galilee. In an official statement, the party clarified that its fighters shelled an artillery position belonging to the occupation army in the Kfar Giladi settlement with a rocket barrage and a swarm of kamikaze drones.
The party affirmed that this military action came as a direct response to repeated Israeli violations, which have exceeded 200 documented breaches since the temporary truce began last Thursday. The statement indicated that the targeted position was the primary source of artillery shelling that struck the town of Yahmar al-Shaqif deep inside Lebanese territory in recent hours.
Hezbollah's leadership stressed that this operation is part of defending Lebanon and its people against blatant aggressions, which included targeting civilians and destroying property. It considered that the international community's silence on these transgressions compelled the resistance to respond in the field to deter the occupation from continuing its violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the terms of the agreement.
In contrast, Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz stated that Tel Aviv intends to maintain its military control over all areas it has penetrated in southern Lebanon. These statements confirm the occupation's intention not to withdraw immediately, placing the fragile ceasefire agreement under a real test amidst ongoing field operations.
For his part, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri issued a strong warning to the occupation, emphasizing that forces refusing to withdraw would face continuous resistance. Berri said in media statements that Israel's continued presence in any location or its drawing of new geographical lines means the continuation of an open conflict with the Lebanese resistance.
On the diplomatic front, the United States is scheduled to host high-level ambassadorial talks between the Lebanese and Israeli sides next Thursday. These discussions aim to avert the imminent collapse of the truce and discuss mechanisms for solidifying the ceasefire and preventing the situation from sliding back into a comprehensive confrontation.
In the field, media sources reported an escalation in the pace of Israeli attacks on Tuesday, with artillery intensively targeting several border towns. The shelling coincided with widespread demolition operations of homes and infrastructure, in an attempt by the occupation army to create a buffer zone devoid of residents and urban landmarks.
Reports from southern Lebanon stated that the occupation army carried out booby-trapping and demolition operations in at least eight border villages, including Houla and Tayr Harfa. The aggressions included the destruction of entire residential neighborhoods, leveling them to the ground, leading to a new wave of displacement for residents who tried to return to inspect their homes.
In the Bint Jbeil district, Israeli military vehicles continued excavation and demolition work in the Al-Maslakh neighborhood of the historic city of Bint Jbeil. These actions were accompanied by intense low-altitude drone flights and artillery shelling towards the outskirts of the towns of Kunin and Beit Yahoun to intimidate civilians.
Systematic destruction also affected the villages of Beit Leif, Shema, Al-Bayada, and Naqoura, where the occupation's engineering teams completely blew up residential blocks. These field movements come despite the ongoing truce, which was supposed to give civilians a chance to safely return to their destroyed villages.
Local sources reported that Israeli reconnaissance planes did not leave the airspace of the city of Tyre and its surrounding areas, increasing the state of tension and anxiety among residents. The sources added that the occupation is imposing a fire blockade on some roads to prevent movement between villages, in a clear violation of the understandings to cease hostile operations.
The Lebanese public awaits the results of upcoming political moves amidst this dangerous field escalation that threatens to undermine the de-escalation process. The southern front remains susceptible to further escalation if international pressure fails to compel the occupation to fully withdraw and stop targeting Lebanese villages and towns.
If Israel maintains its occupation, whether of areas or sites, it means that every day it will smell the scent of resistance.
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Hezbollah Responds with Rockets and Drones to Occupation's Truce Violations in Lebanon