World
IDF says Hezbollah cell hit in south Lebanon, warns it will attack if truce violated
A cell of Hezbollah operatives identified near Israeli troops in southern Lebanon was targeted in an airstrike, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday, as its top officer warned the military is ready to go on the offensive if the terror group violates a recent ceasefire arrangement.
The military said troops of the Commando Brigade spotted the operatives riding motorcycles in the village of al-Aaqaide, near Nabatieh and close to Israel’s self-declared security zone.
“The terrorists’ activity posed a threat to our forces,” the military said, adding that they were struck “to remove the threat.”
Lebanese media had reported an Israeli airstrike between Kfar Tebnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, near the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon.
The military has previously said it continues to operate at the Ali Taher ridge, beneath which the Iran-backed Hezbollah has a massive underground complex, where some 30 operatives are holed up.
The military has said it will “not allow Hezbollah terrorists to exit the underground tunnel network or move in the area of the ridge.”
غارة إسرائيلية استهدفت منطقة النبطية الفوقا جنوب لبنان pic.twitter.com/BTMyBcqqTN
— هنا لبنان (@thisislebnews) July 5, 2026
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured the Beaufort Castle area in southern Lebanon during the morning, including a major Hezbollah tunnel system built beneath the ridge, the military reported.
Zamir said the Beaufort Ridge is a strategic area that is “saturated with terror infrastructure,” according to remarks provided by the IDF.
“The Hezbollah terror organization, financed and directed by Iran, built underground routes in the area over the course of decades to threaten the northern communities. Our forces now control the key terrain aboveground and these underground routes belowground,” he said.
Zamir said that the Lebanese army “is required to fulfill its commitment under the historic agreement that was signed, and act to clear the area of Hezbollah terrorists,” referring to areas in southern Lebanon outside of the IDF’s control.
Zamir was referring to the agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon last month in Washington following US-hosted talks. It calls for the disarmament of the Iran-backed terror group, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army there, starting with two “pilot” areas. Hezbollah has rejected the deal, which does not set a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal.
“At the same time, the IDF will continue to operate decisively to remove threats in Lebanese territory and is prepared to launch a rapid offensive if the ceasefire is violated,” Zamir added.
Israel is currently maintaining a security zone in southern Lebanon, from which residents have been ordered to evacuate, and where troops are dismantling the terror group’s infrastructure, which was used for attacks on Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Sunday that some Christian villages in Lebanon have asked to be annexed by Israel in order to receive protection from Hezbollah.
Talking up Israel’s treatment of Christians in the Middle East during a Fox News interview, Netanyahu said that “the Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed to Israel because we protect them against the Hezbollah fanatics who want to kill them — and we do the same things with Christians everywhere.”
The premier did not specify which Christian villages he was referring to, or if such calls were made privately or publicly.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Defense Minister Israel Katz have both said Israel does not have territorial ambitions in Lebanon, but that it won’t withdraw from the security zone it has established in southern Lebanon so long as Hezbollah remains a threat.
Later in the interview, Netanyahu said the recent Israel-Lebanon deal brokered by Washington has shown that he and US President Donald Trump “have more cards to play” in terms of expanding Israel’s ties in the region, adding that Lebanon “would like to free itself of Hezbollah.”
Netanyahu: We also take care of our friends, especially the Christians in the Middle East. The Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed to Israel. We protect Christians in the Middle East pic.twitter.com/SyeCM2PHMm
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 5, 2026
Without offering specific evidence, Netanyahu argued: “It’s not only the Christians in Lebanon who asked for our protection. It’s the Druze, it’s Muslims, the Sunni Muslims and quite a few of the Shiite Muslims too… they’d like to free Lebanon. I hope we can get more peace deals.”
While not a formal peace deal, the Israel-Lebanon framework formalized both countries’ intent to eventually normalize relations following the disarmament of Hezbollah and a full Israeli withdrawal from its southern Lebanon security zone.
Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into the war with Iran in March by attacking Israel in support of Tehran, resulting in the destruction of large parts of southern Lebanon and the disruption of the lives of those living in northern Israel. The US-sponsored efforts to halt fighting between the two sides have reduced hostilities, but have yet to achieve peace or bring the war to a definite end. On Saturday, the IDF said it killed an armed Hezbollah operative after a manhunt.
Agencies contributed to this report.
