IDF reported striking Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) struck rocket launchers of the Lebanese Shiite movement "Hezbollah" in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) press service said on January 2.

"Some time ago, the Israeli Air Force, under the guidance of the Intelligence Directorate, launched a strike from Hezbollah medium-range rocket launchers against a military facility belonging to the terrorist organization. "Hezbollah rocket launchers located next to another military facility in the Nabatiyeh area were also hit," the Telegram channel said in a statement.

The Israeli army noted that before striking the Hezbollah rocket launchers, the Lebanese Armed Forces, as part of the implementation of agreements between Israel and Lebanon, "were requested to neutralize the launchers" posing a threat to Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers.

"The launchers were struck only after the Lebanese Armed Forces did not respond to the request," the press office explained.

Long Conclusions: Israel delays withdrawal from Lebanon

IDF troops left only one town during the truce with Hezbollah

Earlier on December 25, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the IDF intends to maintain its presence in Lebanon for a longer period than the 60 days that was approved in the ceasefire agreement. Israeli military officials noted that the military will have to remain in Lebanon until the IDF fulfills its obligations under the terms of the ceasefire agreement. These include establishing full control over southern Lebanon.

Before that, on December 21, Izvestia was told by the UN peacekeeping mission that Israel had withdrawn its troops from only one town in the south of the country during the ceasefire with the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. On November 28, Dmitry Gendelman, advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Dmitry Gendelman, told Izvestia that Israel has not changed its position toward Hamas after the truce in Lebanon.

On November 27, it was reported that the IDF launched airstrikes on Beirut a few minutes after US President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. Shortly before that, the U.S. president said that the indefinite ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel would begin on November 27.

At the same time, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the ceasefire with Lebanon a mistake. According to him, by concluding this agreement, Israel is walking on thin ice, as the Lebanese army does not have the authority and ability to defeat the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah.

The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah came after the events of Sept. 17 and 18, when thousands of people, including the movement's cadres, were injured when pagers and other communication devices exploded in Lebanon. The country blamed Tel Aviv for what happened. Since then, Israel has continued to eliminate the leadership of the Shiite movement and strike Lebanese territory.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas subjected the territory of Israel to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.