Tel Aviv

The Israel Defense Forces said its recent operations in southern Lebanon resulted in the killing of three Hezbollah fighters and the destruction of infrastructure used by the group.

According to the military, Israeli forces also carried out strikes on several locations north of the so-called “Yellow Line,” as part of a broader campaign targeting operational sites beyond the zone Israel intends to control in southern Lebanon.

The military added that one Israeli soldier was lightly wounded during the operations and was evacuated for medical treatment.

The developments come amid tougher rhetoric from Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, who reportedly rejected the possibility of direct negotiations with Israel and said the group would continue resisting Israeli actions. He also stated that Hezbollah would not surrender its weapons.

The IDF said troops had identified three militants approaching an area south of the Forward Defence Line on Sunday, following which the Israeli Air Force carried out a strike.

Additional attacks were launched on the headquarters of the Bint Jbeil sector and other military structures, the army said. It claimed secondary explosions after the strikes indicated the presence of stored weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon and warned that Israel would continue responding forcefully to threats near its northern border.

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The latest escalation follows an announcement on April 23 by US President Donald Trump extending the Lebanon ceasefire for three weeks, while pledging support for the Lebanese government to strengthen its ability to counter Hezbollah influence.