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Israel has warned of increasing its attacks against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a day after the Lebanon health ministry reported four deaths due to an Israeli airstrike. According to The Guardian, Israel has maintained troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and kept up regular strikes despite the November 2024 ceasefire. In an officials statement, Israeli defence minister (Israel Katz) said :”Hezbollah is playing with fire, and the president of Lebanon is dragging his feet. The Lebanese government’s commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented. Maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify – we will not allow any threat to the residents of the north.” This comes as its defence forces confirmed it carried out an airstrike in southern Lebanon overnight killing four members of the militant group’s elite Radwan Force. The Guardian quoted the military as stating that the strike in the town of Kfar Reman targeted the unit’s logistics chief, who, while not named, was said to be involved in the transfer of weapons and in “attempts to restore terror infrastructure” in southern Lebanon. The others killed in the operation were also alleged to be the members of the Radwan Force. The IDF pointed out that Radwan Force’s activities violated the ceasefire deal. As per the US-brokered deal in November, Lebanon agreed that only state security forces would be allowed to bear arms, which means a complete disarmament of Hezbollah. Last year, Hezbollah was severely affected due to the war with Israel, which killed thousands of its fighters and group’s longtime chief Hassan Nasrallah. It also killed more than 1,100 women and children dead and devastated large parts of southern and eastern Lebanon. Since then, Hezbollah has publicly been committed to the ceasefire, refraining from attacks on Israel.
