Israel Strikes Suspected Hezbollah Weapon Smuggling Site in Syria

In this photo provided by the Israeli army, armed Israeli Air Force planes depart from an unknown location to attack Iran on Oct. 26, 2024. Israeli Army via AP

The Israeli military conducted airstrikes targeting suspected Hezbollah weapons smugglers in Syria believed to be flowing weapons across the border into Lebanon on Nov. 30.

The strike occurred just days after Israel agreed to a cease-fire in Lebanon, meant to halt nearly 14 months of fighting with terrorist organization Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Israeli Air Force aircraft “conducted an intelligence-based strike” on sites along the Syria–Lebanon border.

“The strike was conducted after identifying Hezbollah weapon smuggling from Syria into Lebanon after the cease-fire agreement went into effect, and as such posing a threat to the State of Israel in violation of the cease-fire agreement,” the IDF said in a statement.

The U.S.-brokered cease-fire in Lebanon, which began on Nov. 27, called for an immediate halt to the fighting along the Israel–Lebanon border. Under the agreement, Hezbollah is to pull its forces north of the Litani River, while Lebanese government forces are to reassert control over the areas south of the Litani River. The deal also states that Israeli ground forces are to withdraw from southern Lebanon over a 60-day timeframe.

The United States did not directly negotiate with Hezbollah in the cease-fire negotiations, and the Lebanese government instead has to take responsibility for meeting the cease-fire terms within its borders.

The new cease-fire deal stipulates that the United States and France are to reinforce an existing “tripartite mechanism"—consisting of U.N. peacekeeping forces and Lebanese and Israeli government forces—to ensure compliance with the cease-fire and review alleged breaches of the peace. At the same time, both the Lebanese and Israeli governments retain the right to act in self-defense, consistent with international law.

“The IDF will continue to act to remove any threat to the State of Israel that violates the understandings of the ceasefire agreement,” the IDF stated following its Nov. 30 strike along the Syria–Lebanon border.

Syrian government authorities have yet to comment on the IDF strike inside its borders. Hezbollah also has yet to comment on the strike.

The Israeli military has reported some other strikes within Lebanon since the start of the cease-fire.

On Nov. 30, the IDF reported conducting multiple strikes on suspected Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon. In one case, the IDF stated that its aircraft struck individuals who were observed loading vehicles with weapons and ammunition. In another case on Nov. 30, the IDF stated that it struck individuals returning to suspected Hezbollah facilities in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency has also raised allegations of multiple hostile actions by Israeli forces still operating in southern Lebanon after the cease-fire. On Nov. 28, the Lebanese state media agency reported that Israeli forces had conducted artillery strikes targeting the southeast Lebanese village of Halta. On Nov. 30, the Lebanese state media agency reported that Israeli forces had attacked the southern Lebanese village of Aitaroun and used tanks to crush multiple cars, and bulldozers to destroy roadways in the area.