UPDATE - Israeli warplanes launch heavy airstrikes in southern Lebanon

ADDS ISRAELI ARMY STATEMENT

​​​​​​​By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israeli warplanes launched intensive airstrikes Thursday in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

The attacks targeted Al-Rihan Heights, Al Jabour, Kfar Houneh and Qaaqaaiyet El Snoubar, it said.

There have been no immediate reports of casualties or material damage.

Later, the Israeli army said in a statement that “a short while ago, the Air Force launched airstrikes targeting several military sites and Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon.”

It claimed that “among the targeted sites was infrastructure containing weaponry in the Sidon area, where Hezbollah had recently attempted reconstruction after it was previously bombed.”

The army also said that it “targeted Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon that contained rocket launch platforms.”

Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target the activities of the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire that was reached between Israel and Lebanon in November. The truce ended months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.​​​​​​​

Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 3,000 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of more than 200 people and injuries to at least 500 since last November.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply.​​​​​​​

Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.