Lebanon tensions escalate as Israeli strikes and Hezbollah operations continue despite ceasefire

Lebanon 26-04-2026 | 12:39

Lebanon tensions escalate as Israeli strikes and Hezbollah operations continue despite ceasefire

Cross-border clashes, airstrikes, and drone attacks intensify in southern Lebanon amid warnings of a fragile agreement and rising regional tensions.
Lebanon tensions escalate as Israeli strikes and Hezbollah operations continue despite ceasefire
Israeli airstrikes on the south. (AFP)
Smaller Bigger

 

Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli army continued its operations in southern Lebanon today, Saturday, bombing several areas.

 

 

In the latest developments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the Israeli army to carry out powerful strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

 

Hezbollah depot

In a post on X, the Israeli army claimed that its forces had discovered “a stockpile of anti-tank missiles inside a Hezbollah weapons depot.”

 

 

Additionally, “Paratrooper reconnaissance unit fighters and the Yahalom Unit of the 98th Brigade continue to neutralize buildings used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization for military purposes in the Al-Mal'ab neighborhood of Bint Jbeil. Forces of the 8th Brigade under the command of the 91st Division uncovered an underground tunnel entrance along with Kalashnikov weapons, while the 769th Brigade's combat team found planted explosive devices inside a building and a vehicle used by Hezbollah.”

 

He added, “Hezbollah again flagrantly breached the ceasefire agreement and launched explosive drones towards military forces operating in southern Lebanon, south of the frontline. The drones exploded near the forces. No injuries were reported among our forces.”

Hezbollah operation and shelling

In its announced operation today, Hezbollah said that it targeted an Israeli military Namer vehicle in the village of Al-Qantara with an attack drone and claimed a “confirmed hit.”

 

The Israeli Home Front noted the sounding of sirens in Al-Malikiyah in the Upper Galilee following detection of drone infiltration.

 

Israeli bombardment. (Annahar)
Israeli bombardment. (Annahar)

 

 

In the latest developments, the Israeli army carried out raids on Khirbet Selm, Al-Sultaniya, and Zibqin in southern Lebanon.

 

The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced two fatalities and 17 injuries from an Israeli airstrike on the town of Safad al-Batikh in the Bint Jbeil district.

 

 

Annahar’s correspondent reported that raids targeted the town of Kounin in the Bint Jbeil district.

The Haouch Sour area was subjected to artillery shelling, and the outskirts of the village Maaliyeh in the western sector were shelled.

 

The Israeli army dropped flare bombs over the village of Ramyeh in the central sector.

 

The Israeli army conducted a massive explosion operation in the village of Taybeh in the district of Marj'ayoun and in Al-Khiam, in addition to a raid on Beit Yahoun in the district of Bint Jbeil and two raids on Haddatha.

 

Warning...

In this context, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that officers warned of a collapse in understandings with Lebanon.

 

 

The authority said that security sources “demand American pressure on Lebanon to mobilize the Lebanese army against Hezbollah outside the areas of Israeli control.”

 

 

It noted that “the agreement may collapse in the absence of American political pressure on the Lebanese government.”

 

 

The sources concluded: “The reality on the ground is complex."