2nd LD Writethru: Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in S. Lebanon

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- One person was injured and several houses were destroyed Thursday in Israeli airstrikes on civilian homes and Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources.

The Israeli army carried out airstrikes Thursday evening across southern Lebanon, targeting villages including Burj Qalaouiyah, Al-Shahabiya, Mays al Jabal, Dibbine, Kfar Tebnit, and the town of Shebaa, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported, adding a Syrian was injured in the strike on Mays al Jabal.

A Lebanese military intelligence source told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes conducted 13 strikes, mostly on civilian homes and alleged Hezbollah sites previously targeted in similar raids, completely destroying eight houses and damaging dozens more.

The strikes came after Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned on X of attacks on Hezbollah infrastructure in response to its alleged attempts to resume activities in the region.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it struck weapons storage facilities belonging to Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force unit in southern Lebanon.

The IDF claimed that Hezbollah, and specifically the Radwan Force, continues attempts to rehabilitate infrastructure intended to harm Israel.

The Lebanese army condemned the attacks, noting that Israeli violations have exceeded 4,500 since the 2024 ceasefire agreement. It said the strikes targeted civilians, destroyed homes, and hindered Lebanese forces' deployment south of the Litani River.

Both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the Israeli airstrikes.

Salam questioned Israel's commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire. He called on the international community, particularly sponsors of the ceasefire, to pressure Israel to halt aggressions, withdraw from occupied territories, and release detainees.

A U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire has been in place between Hezbollah and Israel since Nov. 27, 2024, halting clashes that erupted during the Gaza war.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they target Hezbollah "threats," while maintaining its forces at five main points in the Lebanese border region. Enditem