Israeli Airstrike Reported in Southern Lebanon Hours After Ceasefire Begins

Beirut: An Israeli airstrike reportedly struck the Jabal al-Rafee area near the southern Lebanese town of Sajd shortly after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect on Friday, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

The ceasefire began at 4:00 p.m. local time, but the reported strike raised fresh concerns about the fragile truce, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, said the group would respond with force if Israel launched further attacks, insisting that threats would not weaken the organisation.

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In a televised address on Hezbollah's Al-Manar television channel, Qassem claimed that attempts to eliminate Hezbollah and strengthen Israeli control had failed. He asserted that Israel would eventually withdraw from all Lebanese territory.

Qassem described the current situation as one of the most critical periods for Lebanon, accusing Israel and the United States of pursuing a joint strategy aimed at reshaping the country's future. He also alleged that Israel was trying to turn Lebanon's political leadership against Hezbollah and obstruct reconstruction efforts in areas affected by the conflict.

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He maintained that Hezbollah's weapons are intended solely for use against Israel and called on Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Earlier in the day, Ibrahim al-Moussawi, a member of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc "Loyalty to the Resistance," said the group would continue to honour the ceasefire as long as Israel also complied with its terms.

According to Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Israeli military operations since March 2 have resulted in 3,980 deaths and 12,001 injuries, highlighting the heavy human toll of the conflict.

With inputs from IANS

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