On April 16, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched over 380 strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, targeting launch sites, command centers, and personnel associated with the group. This operation was reported by the IDF’s press service.
The extensive airstrikes were conducted to support ground operations in the region, with the IDF specifically aiming at militants and facilities believed to have been involved in launching rockets into Israel. These actions were described as part of an “operational response” to ongoing threats.
The IDF emphasized its heightened state of combat readiness and stated it would act in accordance with directives from Israel’s political leadership.
On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Lebanon and Israel had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire aimed at restoring peace.
The negotiations come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group. In early March, Hezbollah militants fired rockets and drones into Israel, prompting a significant military response from the Israeli army, which included extensive strikes across Lebanon and the initiation of ground operations in the southern region.
According to United Nations humanitarian agencies, the ongoing hostilities have displaced over 1.2 million people in Lebanon, with approximately 820,000 fleeing from southern areas.
Satellite imagery and videos analyzed by BBC Verify reveal extensive destruction in border communities, with more than 1,400 buildings reported destroyed since early March. Legal experts suggest that the systematic demolition of these areas could potentially constitute a war crime.
The Israeli military asserts that its actions comply with international law, claiming that it targets Hezbollah infrastructure located within civilian areas only when deemed necessary for military objectives.
The Israeli Defense Forces have intensified their military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, conducting hundreds of strikes in response to ongoing threats. Amid these developments, a temporary ceasefire has been announced, but the humanitarian impact remains severe, with significant displacement and destruction reported in the region.