Tel Aviv [Israel], April 29 (ANI): The Israeli military has released an updated assessment of its recent offensive in southern Lebanon, reporting that its forces killed three Hezbollah fighters.
In addition to the casualties, the military said its units successfully bombed the group’s infrastructure across the region as part of a broader effort to dismantle operational sites. Expanding the scope of the mission, the military confirmed strikes on areas beyond the zone it intends to control in southern Lebanon, specifically targeting locations north of the “Yellow Line.”
The military also reported a casualty within its own ranks, stating that one Israeli soldier was “lightly wounded and evacuated” for medical treatment.
These developments come amid a hardening of positions by Hezbollah leadership. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Monday reiterated the group’s refusal to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, stressing continued resistance against Israeli “aggression,” according to Al Jazeera.
Qassem said direct talks remain “out of the question” and underscored the group’s military stance, stating, “We will not give up weapons, and the defense and the field have proven our readiness for confrontation.”
According to Al Jazeera, the Hezbollah chief also criticized the Lebanese government’s diplomatic approach. “The authorities rushed to make an unnecessary and gratuitous concession, and we categorically refuse direct negotiations. The authorities must stop direct negotiations and pursue a path of indirect negotiations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its troops carried out operations targeting “imminent threats” in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
The IDF said soldiers identified three individuals approaching an area south of the Forward Defense Line. “Following the identification, the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat,” the military said in a statement.
The military further said that additional strikes targeted the headquarters of the Bint Jbeil sector and other military structures. Following the bombardment, secondary explosions were observed, which the IDF said indicated the presence of weapons stored in the area.
Reaffirming its operational intent, the IDF said it will continue to act “decisively against threats directed at Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, in accordance with directives from the political echelon.”
The fragile security situation was further underscored by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Sunday that the ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon is being undermined by Hezbollah.
Netanyahu warned that Israel would respond with force to ensure security along the northern border, stating that, despite perceptions to the contrary, the IDF remains actively engaged. “Regarding Lebanon, one might get the impression that the IDF is not active there. It is active, and it is acting with force. It must be understood that Hezbollah’s violations are essentially disintegrating the ceasefire,” he said.
The Israeli leader emphasized that the primary obligation remains the protection of citizens and soldiers, particularly in the northern region. He added that Israeli forces are operating under rules agreed upon with the United States and within coordination frameworks involving Lebanon.
This surge in military activity and rhetoric follows an announcement on April 23 by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a three-week extension of the ceasefire. The U.S. administration had said it would work with Lebanon to strengthen its ability to counter Hezbollah’s influence. (ANI)
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