ISTANBUL

The Lebanese army said Wednesday that Israeli forces breached the border near Naqoura in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, carving two roads into the Labbouneh area.

In a statement, the army command labeled the move part of Israel’s “persistent violations” of the ceasefire agreement and attacks on Lebanese sovereignty.

The statement detailed that a Lebanese army patrol responded by sealing the two roads with earthen barriers.

Additionally, another unit removed barbed wire previously set up by Israeli forces in the town of Aitaroun, Bint Jbeil further south, the army added.

Later, the Israeli army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said the army’s Northern Command began a large-scale military drill on the Lebanese front on Wednesday.

Adraee stated that the exercise simulates “complex and diverse scenarios, both defensive and offensive. It also includes the enhancement of protection for border towns adjacent to the security fence, alongside various scenarios involving coordination between security forces operating in the area.”

He added that Northern Command chief Ori Gordin conducted an operational assessment of the situation in the region with division and brigade commanders.

The army spokesperson did not disclose the planned duration of the exercise.

A fragile ceasefire had been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities reported over 1,250 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of 100 people and injuries to more than 330.​​​​​​​

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after it refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.