Israeli forces killed six Hezbollah fighters in a shootout in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon.
Published on 24 April 2026
Israel has continued its attacks on southern Lebanon, hours after the ceasefire between the two countries was extended for three weeks.
The Israeli army said on Friday it had “eliminated” six Hezbollah fighters in a shootout in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry also reported that two people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern area of Toline.
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The attacks represent the latest violation of a ceasefire that began on April 16 after weeks of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Israeli forces also remain deployed in southern Lebanon, after establishing a so-called “yellow line” in the area, similar to Israeli military measures in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Lebanon’s health ministry said the number of casualties had risen to 2,491 and 7,719 people were injured since the current round of fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah began on March 2.
ongoing military activity
Earlier on Friday, several people were wounded in an Israeli artillery attack on the town of Yetter in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported. The Israeli army also issued an order for the forced evacuation of the city of Der Ems.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces confirmed Iran-aligned Hezbollah’s claim that the group had used a missile to shoot down an Israeli drone in southern Lebanon.
Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett, reporting from the Lebanese city of Tyre, said military activity was still continuing despite the ceasefire.
“Airstrikes, drone attacks, demolition of homes and occupation of areas continue in southern Lebanon.
“In response, Hezbollah also began firing rockets and drones at Israeli troops inside southern Lebanon, but also across the border into Israel,” Pett said.
‘Ceasefire is meaningless’
In response to continuing attacks in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah described the extension of the ceasefire as “meaningless”.
“It is important to point out that the ceasefire is meaningless in view of Israel’s insistence on hostile acts, including killings, shelling and shelling,” said Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad.
The politician also said that every Israeli attack gives Hezbollah “the right to retaliate”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “maintaining complete freedom of action against any threats” and accused Hezbollah of trying to “sabotage” the ceasefire agreement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the extension of the ceasefire and praised the US for its role in mediating the ceasefire.
“Everyone must fully respect the cessation of hostilities, stop further attacks and comply with their obligations under international law,” Guterres said.
