Hezbollah launched an explosive drone targeting an Israel Defense Forces engineering vehicle overnight Tuesday, an act the IDF described as a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. The drone attacked a military vehicle operating in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area, within the Israeli-controlled security zone in southern Lebanon, according to an IDF statement. No Israeli soldiers were reported injured in the incident.
The IDF stated that its soldiers would not permit terrorists in the area to advance or carry out attacks. In recent days, IDF troops have seized dozens of weapons in southern Lebanon as part of ongoing operations against Hezbollah within the security zone. The military reported confiscating Kalashnikov rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, explosive devices, and ammunition from Hezbollah infrastructure.
Separately, the IDF reported that soldiers opened fire on a suspect who approached an IDF position in the Ras Bayada area in a manner that posed a threat. Warning shots were fired initially, and when the suspect did not stop, troops fired to neutralize the threat. The condition of the suspected individual was not immediately known.
These events follow the IDF's confirmation last week of a pilot program called "Safe Zone" in southern Lebanon, which involves Israeli troop redeployment from designated areas. The U.S. State Department indicated that the Lebanese military has commenced operations to assume control of villages near the Israeli security zone. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that pilot zone operations began in Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya, in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon. These villages are situated along the Litani River, at the edge of the security area established by the IDF to counter Hezbollah.