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Israel military says strikes Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

Smoke rises during Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon's plain of Marjayoun, days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect
Smoke rises during Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon's plain of Marjayoun, days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect

The Israeli military said it has carried out strikes against Hezbollah, after detecting activity in southern Lebanon "that posed a threat" days into a ceasefire.

The military in a statement listed four separate incidents including an Israeli air force strike on "Hezbollah terrorists identified approaching Hezbollah structures in southern Lebanon".

It also said it identified "terrorist activity in a Hezbollah facility with rocket launchers" in the area of Sidon in southern Lebanon and "struck the launchers".

The military also hit a vehicle that "armed operatives" loaded with "RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades), boxes of ammunition, and other military equipment", it said.

"During an additional incident, the (Israeli air force) conducted an intelligence-based strike on a military vehicle operating in the area of a Hezbollah rocket manufacturing site," the military said.

A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows smoke rising from reported home demolitions by Israeli troops stationed in the village of Khiam

It said it "acted during the day against activities in Lebanon that posed a threat to the State of Israel, violating the ceasefire understandings".

The truce, which was intended to end more than a year of cross-border hostilities and two months of open warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, began early on Wednesday morning.

As part of the terms of the deal, the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers will deploy in southern Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws over a period of 60 days.

Hezbollah is also meant to withdraw its forces north of the Litani river, approximately 30 kilometres north of the border, and dismantle its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Israel has insisted on its "full military freedom of action" in Lebanon if Hezbollah violates the ceasefire agreement or attempts to rearm.

It has conducted several strikes in Lebanon since Wednesday.