The Israeli army said on Monday it was holding a military drill in the Upper Galilee near the Lebanese border amid ongoing tensions. Meanwhile, Israeli drones flew over Beirut and its southern suburb, known as Dahieh – a Hezbollah stronghold.
Hezbollah, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing ceasefire with Israel.
The Israeli military on Monday warned civilians in the Upper Galilee of increased military activity but said there was “no security threat.”
It advised people to stay away from the area, citing expected operations.
The warning came a day after Defense Minister Israel Katz toured the Lebanese border and warned that Israel could respond strongly if Hezbollah's drone attacks continued.
Katz said the Iran-backed party would “pay a heavy price” if it violated the ceasefire.
Under a deal signed in November, Israeli forces were set to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26. However, Israel said last month it would stay until February 18, claiming the Lebanese army was too slow to deploy. The Lebanese army has accused Israel of stalling in implementing the deal.
On Thursday, the Israeli military said it shot down a Hezbollah drone, the first such incident since the ceasefire began. That night, Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah targets in eastern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israel continued demolitions in southern Lebanon, with Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reporting that its forces set on fire several houses between Adaisseh and Rab Thalathin.
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said troops destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons depots. He added that forces were working to “maintain operational gains” in coordination with Lebanon.
Troops also found and destroyed multiple weapons caches containing mortars, rockets, explosives and other military gear, Adraee said.
Lebanese media reported on Sunday that the Israeli navy had detained a fisherman off the coast of Naqoura in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, reports in Lebanon said Israeli forces opened fire on civilians attempting to return to the border village of Yaroun.
Hezbollah says it remains committed to the ceasefire.
Its lawmaker Hussein Jishi accused Israel of violating the agreement, claiming “more than 1,000 breaches” had been recorded.
“We upheld the ceasefire to give the relevant parties—namely the Lebanese state and its sponsors—a chance to take responsibility,” he said.
