Lebanon army says Israel shelling pilot villages, breaching agreements

Lebanon’s army has accused Israel of violating a series of ceasefire agreements by shelling what it calls “pilot villages” along the southern border. In a statement released on Monday, the army’s spokesperson said the shelling began on Tuesday night and targeted several villages that had been designated as non‑combatant zones under the 2000 ceasefire and subsequent humanitarian accords. The spokesperson cited satellite imagery and eyewitness reports that show unexploded ordnance in the villages of Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun and nearby hamlets.

The shelling, the army says, contravenes the United Nations‑brokered agreements that prohibit attacks on civilian infrastructure in the region. Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has demanded an immediate halt to the strikes and called on the United Nations Security Council to investigate the incident. Israel has denied the allegations, stating that any fire was a response to cross‑border attacks by armed groups operating from Lebanese territory.

The incident has heightened tensions along the fragile border, prompting calls from regional diplomats for a renewed ceasefire and for both sides to adhere to international humanitarian law. The Lebanese army has pledged to document the damage and will present its findings to international bodies in the coming days.