“As of April 18, 2026, Israel has conducted widespread explosions targeting infrastructure in the southern Lebanese towns of Qantara, Khiam, Naqoura, al-Bayada, Chama, and Houla, breaking a ceasefire.”

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect at midnight in Beirut, offering a pause in hostilities after weeks of fighting. The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the agreement and urged all parties to respect it, expressing hope it could open the way for further negotiations.

In the hours after the truce came into effect, the Lebanese army reported 'a number of breaches of the agreement.' Israeli bombardments were reported overnight in Khiam, according to the official National News Agency, along with retaliatory fire from Hezbollah. In the morning, Israeli artillery fire targeted Kounine, near Bint Jbeil.

The Lebanese army said early Friday that it recorded several ceasefire violations by Israel, including sporadic shelling targeting a number of villages in southern Lebanon. In a statement posted on US social media company X​​​​​​​, the army said it documented a number of Israeli attacks since the truce took effect at midnight local time. The army urged residents to delay returning to southern villages and towns, saying the violations continued to pose a threat to civilians.

The Israeli military's destruction of the Qasmieh bridge on April 16, 2026, which took place hours before a ceasefire was announced, threatens to cut off Lebanese territory south of the Litani River from the rest of the country, Human Rights Watch said today. Prior to April 16, the Israeli military had systematically destroyed or severely damaged all the main bridges connecting areas south of the Litani River to the rest of the country, making the Qasmieh bridge the sole main operational crossing for civilian use despite it also being damaged in an April 8 attack.

According to the National News Agency, Israeli occupation forces detonated and demolished a number of houses in the border villages of Naqoura, Dibil, Alma al-Shaab, Al-Qouzah, Al-Bayada, and Shamaa, and burned and destroyed shops.

“According to partners and local authorities, thousands of people were seen travelling south early this morning, with major roads congested, particularly near the villages of Qasmiyeh and Zefta in southern Lebanon, despite extensive damage to bridges and infrastructure,” OCHA said.

Despite the newly mounted Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, the IDF will continue to attack fighters of the Lebanese terror group who have remained in the southern part of the country should they not surrender, the IDF said on Friday. The military views the Litani River as the new indefinite security line in case Lebanon can't guarantee Hezbollah's disarmament.

A ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, brokered by the United States, entered into effect on 16 April 2026 at 17:00 EST for an initial period of ten days. Worryingly, there are already reports of violations by the Israeli army, which also issued a warning against civilians returning to their homes south of the Litani river.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was announced around early April 2026 following escalations in the 2026 Lebanon war, but reports indicate violations by both sides, including Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon post-ceasefire announcement. No confirmed reports of widespread explosions specifically in Qantara, Khiam, Naqoura, al-Bayada, Chama, or Houla as of mid-April 2026; major attacks focused on Beirut, Sidon, Tyre, and Beqaa Valley.

The Israeli army carried out widespread explosions of homes and infrastructure in the town of Naqoura and the outskirts of al-Bayada in the western sector of southern Lebanon. [Translated from Arabic]

Confirmed hit achieved as Hezbollah fighters targeted a Namera Israeli vehicle in the town of Qantara with a guided missile: Military Media Statement 23. Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Ras al-Naqoura site with a swarm of attack drones: statement 44. Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 21:30 on Thursday 16-04-2026 Nahariya settlement with a rocket barrage: statement 43.

In the aftermath of the Israel–Lebanon truce, large parts of South Lebanon remain heavily devastated, with returning residents describing entire neighborhoods as unliveable due to destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure. The Lebanese army accused Israel of ceasefire violations in southern Lebanon villages as the truce came into effect.

The IDF continues expanded operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah strongholds... The Air Force has also significantly expanded its campaign, striking more than 200 Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon in the past 24 hours.

Hours after the truce, reports alleged Israeli strikes continued on villages inside southern Lebanon. The Lebanese army accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, reporting that the Israeli military had carried out new strikes in the south. The Lebanese army said that the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, bombed several villages in the southern despite the declared truce.

Israel & Lebanon agreeing to a 10-day ceasefire. The ceasefire formally began at midnight local time on April 17th, raising cautious hopes for a temporary pause in cross-border hostilities after months of intense fighting.