Tel Aviv, May 3: The Israeli military has launched a series of strikes on multiple locations in southern Lebanon, targeting infrastructure it says is linked to Hezbollah. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operations were carried out over the past day and focused on what it described as militant facilities used to plan and support attacks.
The IDF stated that around 70 military structures were hit, including approximately 50 sites associated with Hezbollah. These reportedly included command centers, weapons storage units, and other operational buildings. The military also claimed that militants operating near Israeli troops were neutralized during the strikes.
In a separate development in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces reported engaging four militants who had crossed a designated boundary referred to as the “Yellow Line” and approached their positions. The IDF said troops opened fire after identifying an immediate threat, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, while one was reportedly injured.
The military emphasized that its Southern Command remains deployed in line with the existing ceasefire arrangement and will continue to respond to any perceived threats.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem recently reiterated the group’s refusal to enter direct negotiations with Israel, maintaining that its armed stance remains essential. He also criticized the Lebanese government’s diplomatic approach, calling for indirect rather than direct talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also expressed concern over the situation, warning that Hezbollah’s actions are weakening the ceasefire framework. He stated that Israeli forces remain actively engaged in ensuring security along the northern border and would respond firmly to any violations.
The escalation comes shortly after an announcement by US President Donald Trump extending the ceasefire for three weeks, alongside efforts to strengthen Lebanon’s capacity to counter Hezbollah’s influence.