A ceasefire is in place and Netanyahu has ordered the military to attack Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to carry out massive attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, despite the existing ceasefire, AFP reported, citing a short statement from the head of government's office.

According to the Times of Israel website, this decision was made after Hezbollah fired rockets and drones on Saturday towards northern Israel and Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon.

The website reminds that Iran-backed Hezbollah has recently carried out multiple attacks every day against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, claiming that it is responding to ceasefire violations by Israel.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in force since April 16 and was initially agreed to last 10 days by representatives of the Israeli and Lebanese authorities with mediation by the US administration. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that the truce would be extended by three weeks.

Although the ceasefire led to a significant reduction in hostilities, Israeli and Hezbollah forces continued to attack each other in southern Lebanon, where Israel maintains troops in an established buffer zone. (PAP)

change / ap /