Israeli forces struck multiple targets in southern Lebanon on Friday after Hezbollah carried out a series of attacks on Israeli troops and border communities, the military said, as both sides accused each other of violating a fragile ceasefire.

In response to a rocket barrage launched by Hezbollah toward the northern Israeli border community of Shtula overnight, the Israeli army said it struck buildings used by the group in the southern Lebanese towns of Khirbet Selm and Touline. According to the military, the structures were being used by Hezbollah to facilitate attacks against Israeli troops and Israeli territory.

Earlier, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the Shtula rocket fire, saying the attack was carried out in retaliation for what it described as an Israeli ceasefire violation, including alleged artillery shelling in the southern Lebanese town of Yater earlier in the day.

The outlawed militia also said it had carried out five additional attacks against Israeli forces stationed in southern Lebanon on Thursday, despite the ceasefire arrangement that has been in place since April 17 and which has now been extended for three weeks. 

On Thursday, the Israeli military said it had killed three Hezbollah operatives in a strike in southern Lebanon after they fired an anti-aircraft missile at an Israeli drone operating over the area. The Israeli army said the missile failed to down the aircraft before the operatives were targeted.

In a separate incident, the military said Hezbollah launched an explosive-laden drone toward Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon. One reservist soldier was lightly wounded, according to the Israeli military, which said it responded by striking Hezbollah positions in the area.

In another exchange of fire, Hezbollah fired several rockets toward Israeli troops operating near the town of Aynata, adjacent to Bint Jbeil. The Israeli military said some of the rockets landed close to its forces, though no casualties were reported.

Additionally, the Israeli army said it destroyed two prepared Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon during operations on Thursday.

The Israeli military described Hezbollah’s actions as “blatant violations of the ceasefire understandings,” as cross-border hostilities continue despite diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation along the frontier.