Israel launches airstrike in Lebanon, bolsters military readiness near Gaza

Israel's military said on Sunday evening it launched a new wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah sites despite a ceasefire agreement, reported Xinhua.

In a statement, the military said it struck infrastructure containing weapons, where "Hezbollah activity was identified."

It accused Hezbollah of conducting military operations in southern Lebanon in violation of agreements between Israel and Lebanon.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that "the Israeli enemy launched two drone strikes on Wadi Zibqin in the western sector of southern Lebanon."

The agency added that the Israeli forces also dropped flares over the Al-Dar area, located in the central sector of the southern border region.

Earlier in the day, according to the NNA, Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes in eastern and southern Lebanon.

A Syrian girl was injured in the strikes and has been sent to the Lebanese-Italian Hospital for treatment, according to the NNA.

Also on Sunday, Israel released photos and videos of the assassination of Hezbollah's former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on Sept. 27, 2024. Aerial strike footage showed multiple bombs hitting an underground bunker in Beirut's southern suburbs where Nasrallah was staying.

The videos were released as thousands in Beirut attended Nasrallah's funeral the same day.

During the ceremony, Israeli warplanes patrolled the skies over Beirut, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

"The Israeli Air Force jets currently flying over Beirut during Hassan Nasrallah's funeral are sending a clear message: Whoever threatens to destroy Israel and attacks Israel -- this will be their fate," Katz said.

Meanwhile, Israel has stepped up military readiness near Gaza, the military said on Sunday, after Hamas accused it of attempting to evade its obligations under a ceasefire agreement.

The decision was made "following a situational assessment," an Israeli military spokesperson said, adding that the forces were enhancing "military readiness and operational preparedness" in the Gaza border area.

There were no changes to home front guidelines.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel announced a delay in the release of 620 Palestinian detainees who were set to be freed under the truce agreement. Their release was part of the final phase of a hostage-prisoner exchange agreement after Hamas freed six Israeli hostages on Saturday.

Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Rishq accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "deliberately obstructing the agreement" and violating its terms, saying the move underscored Israel's "unreliability in fulfilling its commitments." He called on mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to release the prisoners without delay.

The fragile three-phase ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19, pausing 15 months of fighting between Hamas and Israel that has devastated Gaza.