IDF Strikes Hezbollah for First Time Since Ceasefire Extension
The Israel Defense Forces said on Saturday that it had launched a wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon — the first since Friday’s 45-day ceasefire extension. The IDF issued evacuation warnings for nine villages including Qaaqaaiyet al-Snoubar, Kaouthariyet El Saiyad, Merouaniyeh, Ghassaniyeh, Tefahta, Irzay, Babliyeh, Insar and al-Baisariyah. “In light of the Hezbollah terror organization’s violations of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is forced to act against it with force,” army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said. A Hezbollah drone fired at Israel triggered sirens near Meron; no injuries reported.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported strikes on at least five villages, preceded by an exodus toward Sidon and Beirut. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health raised the cumulative civilian toll to 2,969 killed and 9,112 wounded since 2 March, up from yesterday’s 2,896 figure. Hezbollah claimed a “confirmed hit” on an Israeli military vehicle in Taybeh town square. The Times of Israel framed the truce as “porous”: the US has explicitly permitted Israel to continue targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure it deems a threat, which means the ceasefire is operationally a lower-intensity continuation rather than a halt.