Israeli troops kill two in south Lebanon after lull in fighting, authorities say

Israeli troops killed two individuals in southern Lebanon on June 18, 2024, following a period of reduced cross-border hostilities. The Israeli military stated that the deceased were Hezbollah operatives. However, the Iran-backed militant group accused Israel of violating a de facto ceasefire that had been in place. This incident marks a significant escalation after several weeks of relative quiet along the volatile border. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that its forces targeted a "terrorist cell" attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory from Lebanon. The IDF also stated that it carried out strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in response to rocket fire originating from Lebanon. The Lebanese militant group has not officially commented on the specific infiltration claim but has condemned the Israeli actions as a breach of the ongoing cessation of hostilities. The situation remains tense, with concerns of a wider conflict resurfacing.