Israel has carried out several airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting what it said was Hezbollah infrastructure, as a deadline for the Lebanese state to disarm the group in the south approaches. The strikes on Wednesday hit the valleys of Houmin, Wadi Azza and Nimeiriya in the Nabatieh area, with residents reporting continued drone activity.
The Israeli military said it struck launching sites and military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah, calling their presence a violation of understandings between the two countries. The attacks are the latest in a series of violations of a year-long ceasefire that ended a 13-month war with Hezbollah. According to ACLED, an independent conflict monitor, Israel has bombed Lebanon once every four hours on average since the ceasefire began.
The airstrikes come amid heightened rhetoric from Israeli officials as a deadline for the Lebanese army to clear all Hezbollah arms from south of the Litani River nears. Under a US-approved plan, by the end of the year the Lebanese army is meant to remove all Hezbollah infrastructure, weapons and personnel from the area, while Israeli forces are to withdraw. However, Israeli troops continue to occupy five points in the south and conduct ground operations.
Lebanese officials say they have nearly completed disarmament in the south, regularly destroying old weapons caches. Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri stated on 17 December that Lebanon was strictly observing the ceasefire, while accusing Israel of continual violations. Israel rejects this, claiming Hezbollah is attempting to rebuild along its borders.
On Monday, an Israeli drone strike killed three men in a car north of the Litani, including a Lebanese army warrant officer. Israel claimed the officer was a Hezbollah member involved in planning attacks, but the Lebanese army and Hezbollah denied any connection, with Defence Minister Michel Menassa calling the accusation a malicious attack on the army.
Israeli media reports suggest an expanded offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon may be discussed in an upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Israeli and Lebanese officials continue to meet in Naqoura to discuss the ceasefire, with civilian representatives now included for the first time, drawing outrage in Lebanon over perceived recognition of Israel.
