by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to launch forceful attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group following repeated violations of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire along Israel’s northern border.
The directive came after Hezbollah fired rockets and launched drones from Lebanon into Israeli territory over the weekend, triggering air-raid sirens across northern communities including Manara, Misgav Am, Margaliot, and Malkia.
The IDF confirmed that at least one rocket was intercepted, while another struck an open area. No injuries were reported. Soon after, multiple drone infiltration alerts were activated, with Israeli air defenses successfully intercepting several unmanned aerial vehicles before they could penetrate Israeli airspace.
Calling the attacks a direct breach of the ceasefire, Israeli officials said Netanyahu instructed the military to respond decisively.
“Hezbollah is essentially disintegrating the ceasefire,” Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting. “What obligates us is the security of Israel — our soldiers and our communities.”
Following the prime minister’s order, the IDF carried out targeted strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including positions used by the group’s elite Radwan Force — a unit trained for cross-border attacks on Israeli towns.
The military stated that the strikes were aimed at removing immediate threats and preventing future attacks, noting that Hezbollah had been using the targeted sites to advance terrorist operations against Israel.
The IDF also reported eliminating more than 15 Hezbollah operatives over the weekend, including several involved in weapons transport. Over the past two weeks, Israeli forces have killed 46 Hezbollah terrorists as part of intensified operations in response to ongoing aggression.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will maintain full freedom of action to defend itself, including preemptive measures against emerging threats.
“We are acting with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,” he said, underscoring Israel’s resolve to restore security to residents in the north who have faced persistent rocket and drone threats.
The escalation comes despite efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to stabilize the situation. Trump recently announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire following diplomatic talks between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington.
Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the extension would operate under the same framework as the earlier truce agreement reached in mid-April.
However, Israeli leaders have warned that Hezbollah — widely viewed as a proxy of Iran — is actively working to undermine both the ceasefire and broader efforts toward peace.
Netanyahu stated that while Israel has begun pursuing what he described as a “historic peace” with Lebanon, Hezbollah’s continued attacks threaten to derail those efforts.
Local leaders in northern Israel expressed frustration, warning that the ceasefire has become ineffective in the face of ongoing violations. Still, the Israeli government signaled it will continue its military campaign until the threat from Hezbollah is neutralized.
The latest developments highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the growing risk of a broader escalation as Israel responds to persistent attacks along its northern frontier.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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