Hezbollah says Israel has never complied with ceasefire, reports ongoing clashes

BEIRUT, Lebanon — BEIRUT — Hezbollah said on Thursday that Israel has never complied with the ceasefire reached on November 27, 2024, accusing it of repeated violations since the agreement took effect. In a statement, the group said Israeli forces have carried out attacks on civilians, targeted villages and damaged civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said its fighters repelled an attempted advance toward the Ali Tahir hill, claiming that dozens of Israeli officers and soldiers were killed or wounded in the clashes. The group said its forces remain ready to respond to any attack and will continue to defend Lebanese territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he held a security assessment with his defense minister and military chief of staff, and instructed the army to launch forceful strikes against Hezbollah in response to ceasefire violations. Netanyahu said Hezbollah would pay a heavy price. The Israeli military earlier announced that four soldiers were killed and 17 wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon, including the commander of the 52nd Battalion of the elite Givati Brigade. Israel also carried out airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling on the city of Nabatieh and surrounding villages, with local sources reporting that 16 people were killed in those attacks.