The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported carrying out an airstrike on a vehicle inside a Hezbollah military compound in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting weapons being loaded for transport.

The operation comes amid heightened tensions in the region, even as both sides remain under a ceasefire agreement.

While the IDF reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, it maintained a firm stance on responding to any perceived threats. Military officials have indicated that forces remain stationed in southern Lebanon, prepared to act if necessary.

The broader situation is complicated by uncertainty over whether Israel will complete its withdrawal from Lebanon by the end of the 60-day ceasefire, set to expire on January 26.

The IDF has expressed frustration with what it describes as the Lebanese army’s slow progress in taking control of southern Lebanon and confiscating Hezbollah’s weaponry.

This delay has led Israeli officials to consider extending the IDF’s presence in the area by an additional 30 days or more, to ensure the Lebanese army fulfills its mandate and to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing a presence in the region.

These developments have drawn criticism from international parties, including the United States. Critics argue that Israel’s stringent enforcement measures against Hezbollah, coupled with its indications of potentially prolonging its presence in Lebanon, risk undermining the ceasefire agreement.

Hezbollah has refrained from launching rockets into Israel during the truce, a factor that some view as a sign of the ceasefire’s effectiveness. Nonetheless, Israeli officials maintain that any premature withdrawal could create a security vacuum, enabling Hezbollah to regroup and rearm.

The situation highlights the fragile balance of maintaining peace while addressing longstanding security concerns as both sides navigate the complexities of implementing the ceasefire agreement under international scrutiny.