Plumes of smoke seen in Southern Lebanon as Hezbollah deadline nears

Plumes of smoke were seen from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon on Wednesday (December 31) after Israel carried out airstrikes, as a New Year’s deadline for the disarming of the militant group Hezbollah approached.

Israel has publicly urged Lebanese authorities to fulfill their commitment under the 2024 ceasefire agreement to disarm Hezbollah, warning that it would act “as necessary” if Lebanon did not take steps against the Iran-aligned proxy militia.

Lebanon and Israel have officially been enemy states for more than 70 years.

Since the U.S.-brokered truce, the two sides have exchanged accusations of violations, while Israel has continued to carry out strikes that have killed hundreds, saying it is targeting Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities.

-Production: Avi Ohayon, Roleen Tafakji/Reuters