Fragile Truce Tested: Israeli Strikes and Hezbollah Retaliation Shake Lebanon Border

Hezbollah launched two missiles at Mount Dov in northern Israel on Monday, marking the first direct attack since a ceasefire between the group and Israel took effect last week. The missiles landed in open areas, causing no casualties, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack a "serious violation" of the ceasefire and vowed a strong response. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed Netanyahu's stance, emphasizing that Israel would not tolerate any breach of the truce.

In response to the Hezbollah attack, Israel conducted airstrikes on multiple targets in southern Lebanon, killing at least nine people and injuring several others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The airstrikes hit towns including Haris and Tallousa, both in the Nabatiyeh Governorate. The Lebanese government condemned these strikes as flagrant violations of the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, the United States and France, which brokered the truce, expressed concern over repeated violations but maintained confidence in the agreement's potential to stabilize the region.

Hezbollah stated that its missile attack was a "preliminary defensive response" to what it described as repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including deadly airstrikes, drone activity over Lebanese territory, and the demolition of civilian structures. The group claimed that Israeli actions, such as the leveling of a mosque in Maroun Al-Ras and attacks on civilians in southern Lebanon, left them with no choice but to respond. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri also criticized Israel's actions, accusing it of undermining the truce.

Israeli military officials defended their actions, stating that strikes on Hezbollah...