Israel said its military had been instructed to use “full force” against threats in Lebanon despite a truce. The government vowed to level homes allegedly used by Hezbollah, with state media reporting demolitions were underway on Sunday. Some displaced residents have rushed back to their homes in the south, but others remain hesitant. They are uncertain about the durability of the 10-day truce that came into effect on Friday, halting weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Therefore, Israel Lebanon threats continue to overshadow any potential peace.
In the village of Dibbine, an AFP correspondent saw a man inspecting damage to his home. People walked near the rubble of destroyed buildings. In Srifa, another correspondent saw people unloading belongings including mattresses and a washing machine as they returned to the southern village. Elsewhere, an AFP correspondent saw people traveling away from the south after retrieving belongings from their homes. The mixed reactions reflect deep uncertainty about the future.
Israeli Defense Minister Orders Full Force
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the army “to act with full force, both on the ground and from the air, including during the ceasefire, in order to protect our soldiers in Lebanon from any threat.” He said the military had also been ordered to demolish any structure or road that was “booby-trapped.” Additionally, the army would “remove the houses in the contact villages near the border that served in every respect as Hezbollah terror outposts.”
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) said that “the Israeli enemy is still destroying what remains of houses” in Bint Jbeil on Sunday. The agency had reported demolitions a day earlier in the town, which saw heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah before the ceasefire. The NNA also said the Israeli army was “blowing up houses in Mais Al-Jabal” and “carrying out a sweep operation and detonations” in Deir Seryan, both near the border. The town of Kunin “was subjected to enemy artillery shelling.” These actions underscore the severity of Israel Lebanon threats.
On Saturday, Israel’s military said it had established a “Yellow Line” in south Lebanon. This line is similar to the one in Gaza that separates areas held by Israeli forces from those controlled by militant group Hamas. On Sunday, the military published a map showing its “forward defense line” and an area in red stretching the length of the border. The army said forces were operating there to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and “prevent direct threats to communities in northern Israel.” It later said soldiers killed an “armed terrorist” who crossed the line.
International Reactions and Casualties
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday denounced what he called “Israeli expansionism” in Lebanon. The truce took effect days after the first high-level meeting between Lebanon and Israel in decades. The meeting paused a war that has killed nearly 2,300 people in Lebanon and displaced more than a million since erupting on March 2. The conflict began after months of cross-border violence linked to the broader Middle East war.
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris. The visit aims to demonstrate France’s support for Lebanon’s “territorial integrity,” the president’s office said. Macron will also urge Lebanese authorities to prosecute those responsible for an attack on UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon on Saturday that killed a French soldier and wounded three others. France and the UN force (UNIFIL) have blamed Hezbollah, which denied involvement.
A memorial ceremony was held at Beirut airport for the French peacekeeper, Florian Montorio. UNIFIL said he was “posthumously awarded UN and Lebanese Army medals in recognition of his dedicated service for peace in south Lebanon.” Salam’s office said the premier would also travel to Luxembourg on Tuesday “to meet EU foreign ministers.”
Memorial Ceremony
Earlier Sunday, Lebanon’s military said it had reopened a road linking the city of Nabatiyeh with the Khardali area. It had also partially reopened the Burj Rahal-Tyre bridge in the country’s south. Israeli strikes on several bridges across the Litani River, which runs around 30 kilometers from the border, have limited access to the area. Therefore, the humanitarian situation remains fragile.
The Israel Lebanon threats now define the post-truce reality. While diplomatic channels remain open, military action continues on the ground. Displaced civilians face agonizing choices about returning home. The international community watches closely as Israel and Hezbollah navigate a precarious ceasefire. The coming days will determine whether full force leads to full conflict or a genuine de-escalation.
