Tel Aviv [Israel], April 22 (ANI): The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said its troops and air force struck southern Lebanon on Wednesday after alleging a ceasefire breach when two Hezbollah members crossed the “Forward Defence Line” and approached Israeli soldiers.
The IDF said the incident occurred in the Saluki area, where forces detected what they described as an immediate threat. “Yesterday (Tuesday), IDF soldiers identified in the area of the Saluki in southern Lebanon, two terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings, crossed the Forward Defence Line and approached the soldiers, posing an immediate threat,” the military said.
The IDF said it carried out an airstrike to neutralise the threat and that operations in the area continue, including actions to dismantle Hezbollah-linked infrastructure. “Following the identification, the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat. In addition, IDF soldiers continue to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure to remove threats and locate weapons,” the statement said.
The military reiterated it will act to remove any threat to Israeli civilians and troops.
After a 10-day ceasefire began at midnight on April 16, the IDF on April 19 released a detailed map of the “Forward Defence Line” (also called the Yellow Line), outlining the operational zone where Israeli forces remain positioned inside Lebanese territory.
The IDF said five divisions and Israeli Navy forces are operating south of this line, asserting that their continued presence is necessary to “fundamentally change the security reality” along the northern border. In a post on X the IDF wrote: “REVEALED: The Forward Defence Line and the area in which IDF soldiers are operating, following the ceasefire agreement. 5 divisions are operating simultaneously south of the Forward Defence Line in southern Lebanon in order to dismantle Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites and to prevent direct threats to communities in northern Israel.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz has said the IDF will continue to use “full force” to protect soldiers in Lebanon if they face threats. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump praised the 10-day ceasefire as a step toward a broader peace agreement. The IDF’s deployment of five divisions indicates any full withdrawal depends on neutralising Hezbollah’s frontline capabilities. (ANI)
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