"In accordance with directives from the political leadership, the IDF has ceased fire in the campaign against Iran and ... continues combat operations and ground activity against Hezbollah," IDF says
The IDF said Wednesday that it was carrying out strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, signaling that military operations in the Lebanese arena remain ongoing amid some confusion over the scope of the ceasefire.
"In accordance with directives from the political leadership, the IDF has ceased fire in the campaign against Iran and remains on high defensive alert, prepared to respond to any violations," read an IDF statement, adding that "the IDF continues combat operations and ground activity against the Hezbollah terrorist organization" in Lebanon.
Earlier on Wednesday, a vehicle was struck in the town of al-Qalila in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media reports. Shortly afterward, the IDF issued an evacuation warning for a building in Tyre, suggesting continued military activity in the area.
Initial reports in Lebanon attributed the strike to Israel, with early accounts indicating at least four casualties in the attack. Israeli forces have been operating in the Tyre District in recent days as part of a broader campaign against Hezbollah targets. The IDF recently accused the Lebanese-based terror group of using civilian infrastructure in the area to carry out strikes on Israel and IDF forces.
Later reports indicated strikes carried out in other locations in southern Lebanon, including the coastal city of Saida, roughly 45 kilometers south of Beirut.
The Israeli military has not confirmed its involvement in the reported strikes.
IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee later issued an evacuation warning for a building in the al-Abbasiyah area of Tyre in southern Lebanon, an indication that military operations in the area were likely ongoing into Wednesday morning.
“Anyone located near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or weapons is putting their life at risk; any movement southward could endanger your life,” read a statement in Arabic issued by Adraee.
Uncertainty over ceasefire scope amid conflicting reports
The reported strikes and Israel's continued campaign in Lebanon come as uncertainty persists over the scope of a recently announced ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran, with conflicting signals emerging from different parties.
While Pakistani officials and an Israeli source have suggested that Lebanon is included in the understandings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that the ceasefire would not apply to the Lebanese arena, appearing to contradict those claims.
Hezbollah, for its part, has so far refrained from launching attacks on Israeli territory since the ceasefire was announced overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday by US President Donald Trump.
