Israel claims attack targeted Hezbollah weapons depots

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claims its attack in southern Lebanon was targeting Hezbollah weapons depots, The New Arab plus agencies reported on September 28th.

In a statement released by the Israeli military, it said the IDF “struck Hezbollah weapon storage facilities in southern Lebanon. These weapon depots were used by the terrorist organisation to advance and carry out terror attacks against the State of Israel.”

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported “a series” of Israeli air strikes near Kfar Rumman and Jarmaq, and a drone strike on a home in Humin, located in the southern area of the nation.

This is despite the November 2024 ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. However, it was reported on August 19th that Israel kept troops at five border points, allegedly for strategic reasons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on August 25th which said that Israel would only withdraw its troops from Lebanon if Lebanon commits to disarming Hezbollah.

On July 29th, the Israeli military admitted to breaching the ceasefire deal in Lebanon on hundreds of occasions, including firing approximately 500 strikes since November 2024.

Israeli airstrikes killed 12 people in Lebanon, including five Hezbollah fighters, on July 15th; the Israeli military reported that these strikes were targeting facilities throughout the Bekaa Valley in the eastern part of the country.

According to the Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, the airstrikes were meant to send a “clear message” to Hezbollah after the group had been accused by Israel of planning to rebuild its Radwan force for the purpose of cross-border raids.

Katz said that his country “will respond with maximum force to any attempt at rebuilding” and said the airstrikes served the purpose of a warning to Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared on June 5th that the Lebanese army had dismantled more than 500 Hezbollah military positions and arms depots in Lebanon’s south.

Nawaf said “[t]he Lebanese army is continuing its deployment and has so far dismantled more than 500 military positions and arms depots south of the Litani river,” in reference to an area which is around 30 kilometres away from the Israeli border.

The majority of the weapons stockpiles south of the Litani River have already been dismantled by the Lebanese military, with assistance from United Nations peacekeepers.

Since October 8th, 2023, Hezbollah has been involved in border clashes with Israeli troops due to Israel’s war against Gaza; these clashes escalated into full-scale fighting before a ceasefire was brokered by the US and France last year in November.

The New Arab plus and agencies, AFP, National News Agency, Maghrebi.org