The Lebanese Army announced that it has successfully completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah. In a statement released on Thursday, the army said the operation covered the area from the Israeli border to the Litani River and achieved its set objectives. The army added that future phases will expand the disarmament effort to other parts of Lebanon.

According to the statement, the army now controls the entire area south of the Litani River, except for several positions still held by Israel near the border. Despite being weakened by the November 2024 war with Israel, the Iran-backed Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons in other parts of the country. Under a ceasefire agreement in effect for over a year, Israel was expected to withdraw from Lebanese territory but continues to hold five strategic border positions.

The Lebanese Army said it will continue operations in the south to neutralize unexploded ordnance and locate tunnels dug by Hezbollah, while taking permanent measures to prevent armed groups from rebuilding their military capabilities.

Three people were killed on Monday when an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon’s Sidon district, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA and local media reports cited by Anadolu. The attack occurred on the Aktonit–Quneitra road and is being viewed as a potential violation of a recently signed peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel has not yet commented on the incident.

Tensions have been escalating in southern Lebanon for weeks, with Israeli forces reportedly conducting near-daily airstrikes targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure. The two countries had reached a peace agreement in November 2024 following more than a year of cross-border attacks linked to the Gaza war, which left over 4,000 dead and 17,000 injured.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israeli troops were expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon in January, but they have only partially done so and continue to maintain a military presence at five border posts.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported on Friday that Israeli positions fired shotgun and machine gun rounds that landed dangerously close to UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Although no casualties were reported, the UN mission condemned the incidents, describing them as part of a worrying pattern of repeated occurrences near the Blue Line border area.

According to UNIFIL, peacekeepers were on patrol when the first incident occurred, with 15 small-arms rounds landing just 50 meters away. Shortly afterward, another patrol in the same area came under fire from around 100 machine gun rounds. The peacekeepers identified the source of the gunfire as Israeli military positions located south of the Blue Line. UNIFIL stated that it had previously informed Israeli forces of its patrol activities and later communicated through established channels to request a halt to the firing.

In its statement, UNIFIL urged Israeli forces to cease attacks on peacekeepers operating near the Blue Line, emphasizing that such actions threaten peace and stability in the region.

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared on Sunday that the group will not surrender under any circumstances. Speaking at a public event, he called for national unity to resist Israel’s air, land, and sea offensives, emphasizing the need to end Israeli aggression. Qassem demanded full implementation of the ceasefire withdrawal agreement and the release of prisoners, warning that if southern Lebanon falls under Israeli control, the rest of the country would be at risk.

Qassem stated that despite the 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued. He described the current situation as a historic crossroads, saying Lebanon must either allow full U.S. and Israeli control or rise to reclaim its sovereignty and territory. He also argued that calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament are part of an Israel-U.S. project serving Israeli interests rather than Lebanon’s.

The Hezbollah leader reiterated that national unity is essential to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty and prevent further territorial losses, urging all citizens to stand together against Israel.

A United Nations peacekeeper was lightly injured during a patrol in southern Lebanon when gunfire and an explosion occurred near the team, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The incident took place near the village of Bastara, where heavy machine-gun fire from an Israeli military position south of the Blue Line struck close to a UNIFIL patrol inspecting a roadblock. Shortly afterward, a grenade explosion was reported nearby. UNIFIL said the peacekeeper sustained a mild ear concussion but no infrastructure damage was reported.

UNIFIL stated that, in accordance with standard procedures, the Israeli army had been informed in advance about the patrol activities in the sensitive area along the Blue Line. The mission’s statement was released on Friday, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

The report noted that a ceasefire has been in effect in Lebanon since November 2024, following over a year of conflict linked to the war in Gaza, which left more than 4,000 people dead and about 17,000 injured.

Hezbollah has called on the Lebanese government to reject Israel’s demand for the group’s disarmament, warning that compliance could undermine national sovereignty. In a statement reported by TRT World, Hezbollah emphasized that ending Israeli occupation in Lebanese territory remains its top priority, despite an existing ceasefire agreement.

The group accused Israel of maintaining partial military presence in five southern border outposts, violating the terms of the January withdrawal plan. Hezbollah asserted its right to resist continued occupation, describing it as a legitimate defense of Lebanon’s sovereignty. The statement comes as Israel reportedly conditions halting its attacks on Hezbollah’s disarmament by the end of the year.

Analysts say the exchange underscores fragile post-ceasefire dynamics and the risk of renewed hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border. Diplomatic observers warn that failure to fully implement withdrawal commitments could escalate tensions in the region, complicating international mediation efforts.

An Israeli drone attack in southern Lebanon’s Sidon district killed three people on Monday, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA. The strike targeted a vehicle on the Aktnit–Quneitra road and was described by Lebanese officials as a new violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel has not issued any immediate comment on the incident.

Tensions have been escalating along the border in recent weeks, with reports of near-daily Israeli air raids inside Lebanon. Israel claims its operations are aimed at Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. The two countries reached a ceasefire in November 2024 after more than a year of cross-border clashes linked to the Gaza conflict, which left over 4,000 dead and 17,000 injured.

Despite the truce, Israeli forces have reportedly maintained positions at five border posts that were due to be vacated in January, raising concerns among Lebanese authorities and international observers about the durability of the ceasefire and the risk of renewed hostilities.

Israeli forces carried out fresh artillery and aerial attacks in southern Lebanon, violating a recently agreed ceasefire, according to reports from local and international media. The strikes targeted areas around Al-Wazzani and Al-Majidiyah, while Israeli naval units allegedly fired at Lebanese fishing boats near Ras al-Naqoura. Witnesses reported explosions and gunfire that disrupted civilian life in several border villages.

Al Jazeera and other outlets cited Lebanese sources calling the attacks a clear breach of the truce that had temporarily calmed tensions along the Israel–Lebanon frontier. The Lebanese military and UN peacekeeping forces are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. No immediate casualties were confirmed, but the incidents have raised fears of renewed escalation between Israel and Hezbollah-aligned groups operating in the region.

Analysts warn that continued violations could undermine fragile diplomatic efforts to stabilize the border. Regional actors, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), are expected to issue statements urging restraint in the coming days.

Israel carried out a new series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Monday, targeting several areas including Mount Safi, Jbaa, and the Zefta Valley, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The Israeli military said the attacks struck Hezbollah-linked sites, including a training compound used by the group’s elite Radwan Force and a rocket-launching site. No casualties were immediately reported, but the strikes caused damage to multiple homes and reignited anger over repeated Israeli violations of the 2024 US-brokered ceasefire.

The escalation comes just days after Israel and Lebanon agreed to send civilian envoys to a military committee overseeing the truce, a move encouraged by Washington. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed his country’s commitment to negotiations, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for a stronger ceasefire monitoring mechanism, even suggesting openness to US and French participation. UN officials have warned that Israel’s ongoing strikes, which have killed at least 127 civilians since the ceasefire began, may constitute war crimes.

The renewed hostilities follow Israel’s recent assassination of Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabtabai in Beirut. Analysts warn that continued air raids risk collapsing the fragile truce and could draw both nations into another prolonged conflict.

Israel carried out a series of heavy airstrikes in southern Lebanon late on Monday, December 8, targeting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. According to the Israeli military, the strikes focused on the group’s training and qualification grounds, which were allegedly used to plan and execute attacks against Israel. The operation marks one of the most significant escalations since the recent ceasefire.

Since the truce took effect on November 27, 2024, Israel has conducted multiple air raids across Lebanon, particularly in the southern and eastern border regions. Local reports suggest near-daily bombardments, raising fears of renewed large-scale conflict. Israel has justified the strikes as a defensive measure to neutralize Hezbollah threats and continues to maintain troop deployments at five key positions along the border.

Analysts warn that the ongoing hostilities risk undermining the fragile ceasefire and could draw regional actors, including Iran, deeper into confrontation. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate remain limited, with both sides signaling readiness for further military action.

Israel carried out extensive airstrikes across southern Lebanon early Monday, targeting sites allegedly used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. According to the Israeli military, the attacks struck training and qualification grounds that the group used to plan and execute operations against Israel. The strikes occurred around midnight local time, marking one of the most intense bombardments in recent weeks.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation aimed to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near the border. Since the ceasefire took effect on November 27, Israel has conducted multiple air raids in Beirut and near the southern and eastern border regions, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah. Lebanese sources reported significant damage, though casualty figures remain unclear.

Analysts warn that the renewed escalation could undermine the fragile truce and risk drawing the conflict deeper into Lebanese territory. Israel continues to maintain troop deployments at five key positions along the Lebanon border, signaling potential for further confrontations.

Hezbollah’s deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that no external power, including the United States and Israel, will succeed in disarming the Lebanese armed group. Speaking at a memorial event for fallen clerics on December 5, Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah remains committed to defending Lebanon’s sovereignty and will not surrender under any circumstances.

Qassem described Hezbollah as a unifying national force that symbolizes patriotism, freedom, and dignity. He accused Israel of expansionist aggression and urged all necessary measures to counter threats against Lebanon. The leader also criticized U.S. and Israeli interference in Lebanese internal affairs, asserting that neither has the right to dictate the country’s defense policies.

He reiterated Hezbollah’s readiness to cooperate with all Lebanese factions, including Christian groups, to safeguard national interests. Qassem concluded by stating that Hezbollah has fulfilled its duty in defending the nation, and it is now the Lebanese government’s turn to take initiative in ensuring stability and sovereignty.

Lebanon and Israel have held their first direct meeting in four decades, under the supervision of the United States, amid escalating border tensions. The session, part of a ceasefire monitoring committee, took place along the Blue Line and lasted about three hours. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam clarified that the talks were not peace negotiations but aimed at reducing hostilities, securing the release of Lebanese detainees, and ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory. He reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which proposes normalization with Israel in exchange for withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967. The inclusion of civilian representatives was described as a step toward sustained dialogue and stability along the border. Israel’s government spokesperson called the meeting a “historic event,” crediting it to the prime minister’s efforts to promote peace with neighboring countries. The United States has been urging both sides to expand the committee’s mandate beyond the 2024 ceasefire framework.

Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem has vowed to avenge the killing of the group’s top military commander, Haitham Ali Tabatabai, who died in an Israeli airstrike near Beirut on November 23. In a televised speech on November 27, Qassem described the attack as a 'clear act of aggression and a brutal crime,' asserting Hezbollah’s right to respond at a time of its choosing. He did not specify whether a new war with Israel was imminent but urged Lebanon to rely on its army and citizens for defense. Qassem also expressed hope that the upcoming visit of Pope Leo to Lebanon would help promote peace and curb Israeli aggression. He claimed Hezbollah has abided by the ceasefire agreement effective since November 2024, while accusing Israel of continued attacks. In response, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee criticized Lebanon’s army for failing to curb Hezbollah’s weapons buildup in the south.

On the first anniversary of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli military carried out fresh airstrikes in southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese National News Agency, Israeli aircraft targeted multiple sites in the Jezzine area, including Al-Mahmoudiya and Al-Jarma. The Israeli army stated that the strikes destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure, including launch sites, military posts, and weapons depots. Israel claimed the attacks aimed to neutralize threats posed by the Iran-backed group. Despite the 2024 ceasefire deal requiring Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River and dismantle its southern military infrastructure, cross-border hostilities have persisted. The Lebanese government plans to remove all Hezbollah military structures from the south by the end of the year. Israel reaffirmed its commitment to continue operations to eliminate any threats to its security, signaling ongoing instability along the Israel-Lebanon border.