Israeli fighter jets carried out new airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting areas near Ali al-Taher, Kafr Tibnit, and Upper Nabatieh. Residents reported powerful tremors from the explosions, while a rocket that landed on Darb al-Qamar road in Mifdoun failed to detonate.
According to the Israeli military, the strikes hit “Hezbollah underground infrastructure” that allegedly violated “understandings between Israel and Lebanon.” Leaflets were also dropped over the town of Aita al-Shaab, warning: “We will continue to act against Hezbollah’s infrastructure. You have been warned.”
These developments come despite the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024, which required Israel to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, 2025. The deadline was extended to February 18, but Israeli troops continue to hold at least five border positions. Since the war escalated in October 2023, more than 4,000 people have been killed and around 17,000 wounded, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in the region in recent years.
The latest strikes show how fragile the ceasefire remains. While official agreements suggest de-escalation, Israel continues to apply limited military pressure on Hezbollah, signaling both deterrence and control along the border. This tactic highlights a broader strategy: maintaining dominance without entering a full-scale war.
For civilians in southern Lebanon, however, the uncertainty is growing. Daily life is overshadowed by fear of new bombings, while the ceasefire looks less like a peace deal and more like a temporary pause. Unless stronger international guarantees are enforced, the region risks sliding back into continuous conflict, with each side testing the limits of the fragile truce.