Hezbollah

Israel strikes Hezbollah rocket launchers in South Lebanon

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The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in south Lebanon on Thursday, despite a fragile ceasefire with the militant group.

The truce, which took effect on November 27, has been marked by mutual accusations of violations from both sides.

The Israeli military said Thursdayโ€™s strike targeted medium-range rocket launchers in the Nabatieh area.

Lebanonโ€™s official National News Agency reported at least three Israeli strikes in the area.

โ€œPrior to the strike a request was sent to the Lebanese armed forces to neutralise the launchers that posed a threat to Israeli civilians andโ€ฆ troops,โ€ the military said in a statement.

โ€œThe launchers were struck only after the request was not addressed by the Lebanese armed forces.โ€

Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Lebanese army is to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdraws over a 60-day period.

Hezbollah is to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River โ€” some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border โ€” and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south.

In late December, the UN peacekeeping force expressed concern at the โ€œcontinuingโ€ damage done by Israeli forces in south Lebanon.

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