The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they have eliminated a “terrorist squad“ that approached Israeli forces in southern Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire.
“Soldiers identified a terrorist squad approaching Israeli forces operating south of the line designed to prevent imminent threats to northern Israel, in violation of the ceasefire. The approaching terrorists posed a threat to the troops. To eliminate the threat, the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the terrorists“, a statement from the IDF spokesman said IDF.
In addition, “the IDF struck Hezbollah terrorists entering an underground shaft in an area south of the front line of defense“, the IDF added.“
The press service noted that “the IDF is acting in accordance with the directives of Israel's political leadership“ and that the Israeli military “is authorized to take the necessary measures to protect against threats, while ensuring the safety of Israeli civilians and soldiers deployed in the area“, as “actions taken in self-defense and to address immediate threats are not limited by the ceasefire“.“
On April 16, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a ceasefire. He said he had held telephone conversations with his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu and they have agreed that the 10-day ceasefire will take effect at 00:00 Bulgarian time on April 17.