Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Equipment in Southern Lebanon; Lebanese President Condemns Attack

The Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes early Saturday morning in southern Lebanon, targeting heavy engineering vehicles purportedly used by Hezbollah to rebuild its infrastructure. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes aimed at sites where Hezbollah stored machinery intended for reconstructing its operations in the region.

The IDF accused Hezbollah of endangering Lebanese civilians by operating in a manner that uses them as human shields. They also claimed that the presence and use of such equipment by the Iran-backed group violated the ceasefire agreement established in November 2024.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strikes, describing them as an unjustified aggression against civilian installations. He emphasized the gravity of the attack, especially in the context of the existing ceasefire agreement.

Lebanon's health ministry reported that the airstrikes resulted in one fatality and seven injuries. Local media identified the deceased as a Syrian national who was passing by in a van transporting fruits and vegetables. The National News Agency of Lebanon detailed that over 10 separate strikes destroyed approximately 300 vehicles, including bulldozers, excavators, and more than 100 small utility vehicles.

Earlier in the week, an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed a Hezbollah operative operating an excavator. The IDF stated that the individual was targeted while attempting to restore Hezbollah's infrastructure. Additionally, on Friday, the IDF announced the demolition of a building in Ayta ash-Shab, southern Lebanon, which allegedly housed a cache of Hezbollah weapons. Reservists from the 300th "Baram" Regional Brigade conducted the operation, seizing the weapons before destroying the building.

Since the ceasefire agreement on November 27, 2024, which followed Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli communities and military posts after Hamas's October 2023 offensive, Israel has conducted numerous strikes targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives. The IDF claims that these actions are in response to violations of the truce terms by Hezbollah.