Israeli Prime Minister Blames Hezbollah for Ceasefire Breach, Promises Strong Retaliation
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Jerusalem, Dec 3 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hezbollah of breaking the ceasefire agreement and pledged a "strong retaliation" after the group launched two mortars near the border.
In a statement, Netanyahu said on Monday that the mortars, which landed in an open field without causing casualties, represented a "serious breach" of the ceasefire that has been in place since November 27, asserting that "Israel will respond to it forcefully".
"We are committed to upholding the ceasefire and will respond to any breach by Hezbollah -- whether minor or significant," Netanyahu added, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
In a post on social media platform X, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also cautioned that the attack "will be met with a harsh response".
Hezbollah, which claimed responsibility for the assault, stated it targeted Israeli military installations in the disputed area known as Mount Dov in Israel and Shebaa Farms in Lebanon.
The group characterized the attack as a "warning defensive response" to what it described as "repeated Israeli violations" of the ceasefire.
The ceasefire was designed to end nearly 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, yet Israel has reportedly conducted over 50 violations of the truce, according to the Lebanese government, raising doubts regarding the agreement's sustainability.
Israel acknowledges conducting strikes and other operations in Lebanon recently but insists they were aimed at Hezbollah fighters who were breaching the agreement.
