Israel carried out airstrikes on four crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border on Wednesday, claiming they were used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons. The attacks followed strikes on southern Lebanon that killed two people and injured almost 20.
The airstrikes come despite a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024, which ended over a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah fighters. Israel has violated the ceasefire multiple times since then.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks. “Israel is pursuing systematic aggression by striking inhabited villages, escalating dangerously and directly targeting civilians,” he said.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 19 people were injured in the southern town of Qanarit. Earlier strikes in Zahrani and Bazuriyeh killed two people in separate attacks on vehicles.
State-run media said Israeli warplanes targeted towns including al-Kharayeb, al-Ansar, Qanarit, Kfour, and Jarjouh. Israeli authorities said they aimed at weapons transfer routes and claimed to have “eliminated” a key Hezbollah smuggler in Sidon.
AFP correspondents reported charred vehicles, debris on roads, and emergency workers attending to the wounded. Two journalists were also slightly injured during the Qanarit strike.
The Lebanese army condemned the attacks, calling them violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the ceasefire deal. The army said the strikes obstruct efforts to disarm Hezbollah, a key part of the 2024 agreement.
Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons amid the ongoing strikes. Since the ceasefire, Israeli attacks have reportedly killed over 350 people in Lebanon, according to AFP.
