New Israeli airstrikes hit sites in southern, eastern Lebanon despite ceasefire

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout and Lina Altawell

JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL (AA) — Israeli aircraft launched airstrikes on several locations in southern and eastern Lebanon on Thursday, in the latest violation of last year’s ceasefire agreement, Lebanese state media reported.

Lebanon's official news agency (NNA) reported that the airstrikes hit a riverbed nearby the southern town of Zawtar in Nabatieh district and an area between Deir Siryan and al-Qusayr in Marjayoun.

Further strikes were reported in eastern Lebanon, particularly in the Zeghrine area in the Hermel highlands and the outskirts of Budai, west of Baalbek.

No information was yet available about casualties.

The Israeli army claimed that the strikes targeted Hezbollah military buildings and launch platforms.

Neither Hezbollah nor the Lebanese government commented on the strikes as of yet.

A ceasefire was reached between Tel Aviv and Beirut last year after more than a year of attacks against the backdrop of the war in the Gaza Strip. More than 4,000 people were killed, and 17,000 others were injured.

The Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon this January under the ceasefire, but instead only partially pulled out and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.