Ceasefire in Name Only: Israel and Hezbollah Trade Accusations as 16 Die in Lebanon

Both the Israeli military and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah say they are honoring a ceasefire that began Friday night. However, each side accuses the other of breaking the truce, and violence continues on the ground. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they are committed to the agreement but will continue to act against any threats. Hezbollah said it has stuck to the ceasefire, even as it claims Israel violated it "from the first moment." Israel reports that Hezbollah launched more than 50 projectiles overnight. In response, the IDF says it attacked "dozens of terrorist infrastructures and terrorists" in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah claims it attacked Israeli troops early Saturday as they tried to enter the Ali al Taher hills, despite the truce being in effect. The ceasefire is part of a preliminary peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The Israeli prime minister's office has not publicly confirmed the deal. Despite the truce, Israeli strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon have killed at least 16 people on Saturday, including a Lebanese soldier and a family of four in the city of Barish. The IDF says it was targeting Hezbollah positions in response to the rocket fire. Friday was one of the deadliest days in weeks, with at least 83 people killed in Israeli attacks. Since the Israeli offensive began on March 2, more than 4,000 people have died in Lebanon. In a separate development, Lebanon resumed exports to Saudi Arabia on Saturday for the first time in five years. Saudi Arabia had banned Lebanese imports in 2021, accusing the country of using shipments for drug trafficking. The ban was lifted last week as Lebanon faces a severe economic crisis. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called the resumption of trade "a hope" for farmers and said it "revitalizes an entire economic chain."