Israel's army announced on Monday that it launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in eastern Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, in addition to new strikes in the south of the country.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Monday night local time that it had conducted a series of airstrikes targeting over 20 Hezbollah infrastructure targets in the Beqaa Valley and multiple locations across southern Lebanon, including weapons storage facilities, rocket launchers and other military facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said in a meeting with senior commanders of the Israeli army that they have the right to attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, which is "part of the ceasefire agreement."
He also stressed that the disarmament of Hezbollah is the key to negotiations with Lebanon, which will be facilitated by United States mediation.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said Monday that Hezbollah categorically rejects direct Lebanon-Israel talks, noting that any outcomes from such talks are irrelevant to the group.
"We reject direct negotiations outright," Qassem said in a statement, adding that the talks and their results "do not concern us in any way." He also accused the Lebanese authorities of making humiliating and unnecessary concessions and acting against the interests of the Lebanese people.
He outlined five conditions as the only acceptable path forward: ending Israeli attacks by land, sea and air, Israel's withdrawal from occupied territory, the release of prisoners, the return of displaced residents to their towns and villages, and reconstruction.
Qassem said that Hezbollah would not abandon its weapons and vowed that Israel would not remain on any occupied Lebanese land, adding that the group would not return to the situation that existed before March 2.
Also on Monday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that a ceasefire was a necessary first step before any subsequent negotiations. He added that his goal was to end the state of war with Israel.
On March 2, Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel, marking the first such attack since a ceasefire was declared in November 2024. In response, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Beirut, its southern suburbs, and other areas.
Israel strikes Hezbollah infrastructures in Lebanon
Israel strikes Hezbollah infrastructures in Lebanon
