Israeli military chief says army is ‘still in state of war’ in Lebanon

Israel’s military chief said on Friday that the country’s forces are "still in a state of war" in southern Lebanon and are not observing a ceasefire on the northern front, according to an army statement. "The army continues to operate here in Lebanon," Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir said while visiting areas near Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, where he spoke with commanders, according to the statement. He stated that the army “is in a state of war” and is “not in a ceasefire on the northern front.” “In Iran, we are in a ceasefire, but we can return to operating there at any moment, and with great intensity,” he added. The speech came as the Israeli army continued its widened assault on Lebanon since Wednesday, killing over 303 people and injuring 1,150 others, according to Lebanese Civil Defence. Israel also threatened to attack ambulances in Lebanon directly if the Lebanese group Hezbollah’s alleged use of them “for military purposes” does not stop. “Hezbollah is widely using ambulances for military purposes." "Accordingly, we once again warn that the military use of medical facilities and ambulances must stop immediately,” army spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed in a post on X, threatening strikes otherwise. The offensive continued despite a two-week ceasefire announced Tuesday as part of efforts to reach a broader agreement to halt the conflict that Israel and the United States launched against Iran on February 28 that has left thousands dead and wounded. While Pakistan, which helped broker the deal, and Iran said the ceasefire includes Lebanon, the US and Israel denied it. Rocket from Lebanon hits home in illegal border settlement in northern Israel The Israeli army said that it had detected the launch of 10 rockets from southern Lebanon toward the Upper Galilee, one of which directly hit a house in the illegal border settlement of Misgav Am, causing significant damage. Israel’s Channel 12 said sirens sounded in several northern towns following the launches, adding that some rockets were intercepted while others fell in open areas, the channel reported. The channel said one rocket “directly” struck a house in Misgav Am, near the Lebanese border, causing heavy damage without reported casualties. Power outages occur in northern Israel following a missile strike from Lebanon Power outages occurred in Metula and Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel following a missile strike launched from Lebanon, Israeli media reported on Friday. Damage was reported on a packing house in Metula, and fire erupted at the scene, Channel 12 said, adding that there were no casualties. Israeli daily Haaretz reported that 25 rockets have been launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel since early Friday.