The IDF struck a Hezbollah weapons depot on Saturday in the Sejoud area of southern Lebanon – approximately twelve kilometers north of Beaufort Castle. The depot, housed in a mountain village, contained weapons explicitly intended for attacks against IDF soldiers in the security zone. The IDF stated: “Any use of force from Lebanese territory that endangers Israeli civilians or IDF soldiers will be met with a decisive response.”
Explosive device injures two soldiers – IDF responds immediately
The strike comes in the context of an ongoing threat situation in the Israeli security zone. Last week, two IDF soldiers were killed when their engineering vehicle drove over a Hezbollah explosive device in the security zone. The soldiers received medical treatment and their families were notified. As a direct response, the IDF subsequently carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas of southern Lebanon – including observation posts and other facilities used by the Iran-backed terrorist organization to attack Israeli soldiers.
Framework agreement and pilot zones – talks continue
Israel and Lebanon signed a US-brokered framework agreement on June 26, aimed at disarming non-state armed groups throughout Lebanon and achieving lasting peace between the two countries. Ongoing talks are focused on the technical steps required to implement this goal – including the establishment of so-called pilot zones, in which the Lebanese army is expected to demonstrate its capacity to counter Hezbollah and dismantle terrorist infrastructure.
Israeli troops meanwhile remain in the security zone, which runs several kilometers north of the Lebanese border – from the Mediterranean Sea to the Hermon region – in accordance with the ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese government.
