Israel, Hezbollah Continue Strikes Despite Extension of Three-Week Ceasefire

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah traded attacks again, blunting the effect of an agreement to extend their three-week ceasefire.

CNN reported on April 24 that the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah kept up strikes against each other even after the extension was announced.

The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in the southern Lebanese villages of Yater and Kafra, saying they threatened Israeli soldiers and civilians. At least six people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Hezbollah quickly retaliated. The group said it had attacked an Israeli armored personnel carrier in Ramyah in southern Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah called Israel's destruction of homes in southern Lebanon a clear ceasefire violation and said its strike was a legitimate response.

President Donald Trump formally announced the extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on April 23. Since the agreement was extended, both sides have continued to accuse each other of violating the truce as the clashes persisted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained a hard-line stance, saying Israel will keep striking any threat inside Lebanon. Israel has cited the ceasefire terms as allowing all necessary measures for self-defense.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said Israel was continuing military operations on Lebanese territory and argued that the current ceasefire agreement was meaningless.