IDF strikes in Lebanon, says it targeted Hezbollah rocket launchers and weapons
Ceasefire agreement permits Israel to respond to ‘imminent threats’; strikes come as Lebanon prepares for mass funeral of Nasrallah in Beirut
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes in Lebanon on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces said, as the country prepared for the mass funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
According to Lebanese reports, the strikes occurred near the towns of Qlaileh and Zebqine, close to the coastal city of Tyre; near the village of Brissa in the Hermel District of northern Lebanon; near the town of Bodai in the Baalbek District; and near al-Ahmadiya in southern Lebanon.
The IDF later confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted Hezbollah sites containing rocket launchers and other weapons, and additional rocket launchers threatening Israeli civilians
The strikes were carried out after the military said it identified Hezbollah activity at the sites, which it said was a “violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon, and is a threat to the State of Israel and its citizens.”
The strikes came ahead of the joint funeral for Nasrallah, who was eliminated by Israel in September, and his intended successor Hashem Safieddine, whom Israel killed in October.
Tens of thousands were expected attending the proceedings in Beirut, including officials from dozens of countries.
مراسلة «الأخبار»: سلسلة غارات إسرائيلية تستهدف وادي العزية في أطراف زبقين وأطراف جناتا في جنوب لبنان pic.twitter.com/V9gZ3xUol4
— جريدة الأخبار – Al-Akhbar (@AlakhbarNews) February 23, 2025
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was implemented in late November after over a year of skirmishes that were punctuated by two months of all-out war.
While the ceasefire has largely seen hostilities cease, Israeli forces remain in five strategic locations within Lebanese territory despite the agreement calling for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon within 60 days of its implementation.
Israel has justified its continued presence in Lebanon on Hezbollah not withdrawing from southern Lebanon as the agreement requires.
Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement, which gives Israel the right to act against imminent threats by the Iran-backed terror group.
Israel invaded Lebanon in September in a bid to stem the terror group’s persistent rocket fire, which had displaced some 60,000 Israeli civilians in the north of the country. Hezbollah’s near-daily attacks began, unprovoked, on October 8, 2023 — a day after fellow Iran-backed terror group Hamas stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages, sparking the war in Gaza.
Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel since October 2023 have resulted in the deaths of 46 civilians. In addition, 80 IDF soldiers and reservists have died in cross-border skirmishes, attacks on Israel, and in the ensuing ground operation.
The IDF estimates that some 3,500 Hezbollah operatives have been killed in the conflict. Around 100 members of other terror groups, along with hundreds of civilians, have also been reported killed in Lebanon.
Agencies contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.