ALBAWABA- Hezbollah released footage on Monday showing explosive-laden drones targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, including an attack near a military helicopter sent to evacuate wounded soldiers, as tensions over the fragile ceasefire continued to rise.
The group said the strikes were carried out in retaliation for what it described as repeated Israeli ceasefire violations and ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon.
One of the incidents took place in the town of Taybeh, where an initial Hezbollah drone strike targeted Israeli troops repairing a disabled Merkava tank. The attack killed one Israeli soldier and wounded six others.
As an Israeli military helicopter arrived to evacuate the casualties, Hezbollah launched two additional drones. Israeli reports said one drone was intercepted, while the second exploded nearby without causing further injuries.
Hezbollah later published footage of the operation, highlighting the strike near the helicopter as part of its response to Israeli military activity beyond the agreed ceasefire lines.
The group also claimed separate drone attacks on Israeli tanks in areas including Al-Bayyadah and Mays al-Jabal, saying the operations were aimed at countering Israeli actions outside the designated “security zone.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military operations, saying Israeli actions in southern Lebanon, including areas within and north of the Litani River, were consistent with understandings reached with the United States and the Lebanese government.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel retained “freedom of action” to confront immediate and emerging threats from Hezbollah, stressing that the ceasefire did not prevent pre-emptive military measures to protect Israeli forces and border communities.
He added that such operations were linked to ongoing US-mediated diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a more stable arrangement.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, speaking to a delegation from Hasbaya and Al-Arqoub, said Lebanon had informed the US side engaged in mediation efforts that a ceasefire is a necessary first step for any subsequent negotiations.
He noted that this position had been reiterated in two ambassador-level meetings on April 14 and 23, and was reflected in a US State Department statement following the first session, which stipulated that Israel would not carry out offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, whether civilian, military, or state institutions, by land, sea, or air.
Aoun stressed that this remains Lebanon’s official position, adding that any other interpretations are not binding on the state and carry no official Lebanese endorsement. Addressing domestic criticism over the decision to enter negotiations, Aoun questioned claims about the absence of national consensus, asking whether consensus had been sought before the decision to go to war.
He also condemned early accusations of treason directed at the negotiation process, urging critics to await its outcome before passing judgment. Aoun said that residents of southern Lebanon continue to bear the cost of wars fought on their territory, citing recent conflicts linked to Gaza and Iran.
He emphasized that while Lebanon would support any war fought in its own national interest, he rejects involvement in conflicts serving external agendas. He further added that Lebanon’s actions are not acts of betrayal, stating that true betrayal lies in engaging the country in wars to serve foreign interests.
Reaffirming his position, Aoun said his responsibility is to guide Lebanon toward stability and an end to the state of war with Israel, referencing the armistice agreement as a historical precedent. He added that Lebanon would not accept any agreement that undermines its dignity, asking rhetorically whether the armistice itself was ever considered humiliating.
On the Israeli side, Defence Minister Israel Katz told UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert that Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem is “playing with fire” and accused President Aoun of gambling with Lebanon’s future.
Katz warned that there would be no ceasefire while Israeli forces and Galilee communities are under fire, adding that continued Lebanese state protection of Hezbollah would bring consequences that “burn the cedars of Lebanon.”
He demanded that Hezbollah be disarmed first south of the Litani River up to the yellow line, and then across all Lebanese territory, stating that the Israel Defense Forces are prepared to act and assist in achieving that objective.
Israeli and Lebanese officials also held rare direct talks in Washington, mediated by the United States, with a second round taking place Tuesday, April 28. The meetings involved Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions focused on extending the fragile truce and exploring a broader security framework.
Lebanon has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal and respect for its sovereignty, while Israel insists on maintaining a reinforced security zone and measures to counter Hezbollah threats.
Hezbollah, which is not part of the negotiations, has rejected any arrangement it sees as undermining its position and vowed to continue responding to what it calls Israeli violations, keeping the ceasefire under growing strain.
