BEIRUT — Israeli forces carried out additional strikes in southern Lebanon over the weekend, saying they targeted Hezbollah military infrastructure and weapons-related sites, as tensions persisted despite a U.S.-brokered security arrangement intended to reduce hostilities along the border.
The Israeli military said the strikes were aimed at facilities it described as being used by Hezbollah to prepare attacks against Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon. It also said it struck a vehicle that it alleged was transporting weapons for the Iran-backed group after identifying what it called an imminent threat.
Hezbollah did not immediately announce retaliatory action following the latest strikes. The group has previously accused Israel of repeatedly violating ceasefire understandings and has maintained that it retains the right to resist Israeli military operations in Lebanese territory.
Lebanese state media reported Israeli air activity over several areas in the country's south. Local authorities have periodically reported damage and casualties from recent exchanges, although Reuters could not independently verify the extent of the latest strikes or any casualty figures.
The renewed military action comes amid continuing uncertainty over a U.S.-backed framework announced in late June that sought to reduce fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Under the arrangement, the Lebanese army is expected to expand its deployment in southern Lebanon while Israel has said it will maintain forces in designated security areas during a phased implementation.
Israeli officials have said military operations will continue whenever they identify threats linked to Hezbollah's military capabilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israel intends to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its infrastructure near the border and ensure the security of communities in northern Israel.
Lebanese officials have condemned repeated Israeli strikes as violations of the country's sovereignty and of the understandings designed to curb cross-border violence. Hezbollah has also rejected elements of the U.S.-brokered arrangement, arguing that it favors Israeli security interests while leaving Israeli military forces inside Lebanese territory.
The cross-border conflict, which intensified alongside broader regional fighting involving Israel and Iran, has displaced large numbers of civilians on both sides of the frontier and raised concerns among international mediators that renewed violence could undermine recent diplomatic efforts.
No new diplomatic breakthrough had been officially announced as of Sunday, and Israeli military operations and heightened security measures along the frontier remained in place.
