Israel resumed airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Friday shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a visit to the United States, where he met US President Donald Trump, as Israeli officials signaled possible military action if Beirut fails to advance to the next phase of a plan to confine Hezbollah’s weapons north of the Litani River.
The ceasefire monitoring committee, also known as the mechanism, is tracking Lebanon’s political and diplomatic efforts, as well as local measures, aimed at preventing a renewed war.
The mechanism is expected to hold a military-level meeting next week to review developments.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese government is also due to receive a briefing next week from Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal on progress in implementing the state’s decision to contain the proliferation of weapons in stages.
Airstrikes resume
Israeli bombardment in Lebanon had eased after Netanyahu departed for the United States, with no intense airstrikes recorded as had been occurring on a weekly and repeated basis.
That situation changed following the end of the visit and Netanyahu’s return to Israel, where he is expected to meet Israeli officials on Saturday to brief them on his trip.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes deep inside Lebanon, hitting the Louaizeh heights, the Mrouj Aqmata area in the Iqlim al Tuffah highlands, the Wadi Aazze Zefta area, the outskirts of Ansar in Nabatieh district, the Tabna area on the outskirts of Bissariyeh in the Zahrani region, and Mount Mashghara in the western Bekaa in eastern Lebanon.
The strikes totaled ten air raids, all within a contiguous geographic belt stretching from the coast to eastern Lebanon, north of the Litani.
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Friday that Israeli forces had carried out strikes on Hezbollah sites in several areas of southern Lebanon.
Writing on X, he said the army targeted what he described as terrorist infrastructure belonging to the group, including a training complex used by the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s elite unit, and military buildings that he said were used to store weapons.
He said the presence of the targeted infrastructure and the conduct of military training constituted a violation of understandings between Israel and Lebanon.
North of the Litani
All the strikes hit deep valleys and uninhabited areas that have been repeatedly bombed since the ceasefire came into force in November 2024. The locations lie between about 20 kilometers east and 40 kilometers west of the border with Israel.
Earlier on Friday, an Israeli drone struck an excavator in the border town of Aita al Shaab.
Israeli warplanes also violated Lebanese airspace, flying at low altitude over villages in the Tyre district, while two Israeli aircraft breached the airspace over the city of Baalbek and surrounding villages in eastern Lebanon.
Israel has launched a new phase of military strikes since last month, focused on areas north of the Litani, after the Lebanese government announced the completion of the first phase of its plan to confine weapons to official military and security forces south of the river, and preparations to begin the second phase north of the Litani, extending to the Awali River, about 50 kilometers from the southern border.
Netanyahu’s deadline
The strikes followed the end of Netanyahu’s five-day visit to the United States.
Israel’s public broadcaster had reported earlier this week that Netanyahu instructed the military to suspend operations until his return, in order to avoid what it described as an unwanted entanglement during his meeting with Trump.
Israeli media reported on Friday that, upon Netanyahu’s return, security chiefs would be briefed on understandings and agreements reached with Trump.
Israeli media also suggested that Israel could act on its own if Lebanon fails to meet its commitments to implement weapons exclusivity north of the Litani, amid Hezbollah’s refusal to cooperate.
Hezbollah officials have said the priority should be for Israel to meet its obligations under the ceasefire, including withdrawing from occupied Lebanese points, halting attacks, releasing detainees, and launching reconstruction.
Hezbollah’s priorities
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Ezzedine said at a memorial event in southern Lebanon that the United States was trying, through politics, pressure and conspiracies, to achieve what Israel failed to accomplish militarily.
He said Lebanon and the resistance had fulfilled all obligations under the agreements, while Israel continued to evade any commitment.
He called on the Lebanese state and the sponsors of the agreement to compel Israel to stop its attacks, paving the way for an internal national dialogue on strategies to safeguard Lebanon’s strength and sovereignty, without foreign interference.
Ezzedine said the government had clear responsibilities outlined in its ministerial statement, foremost liberating land, stopping attacks, securing the release of detainees, and launching reconstruction.
He said inaction was unjustified, arguing the state could raise its voice in international forums, expose Israeli violations, issue a clear political decision mandating the Lebanese army to take all necessary measures to protect sovereignty, and ensure the return of citizens to their villages and properties, particularly in frontline areas.
