Hezbollah fired four rockets at the northern Israeli community of Shtula late Thursday night, marking its first direct breach of the current ceasefire. The rockets were intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces and caused no injuries. The attack came shortly before United States President Donald Trump announced that the fragile truce between Israel and Lebanon would be extended by three weeks as senior envoys from both countries met in Washington for high-level negotiations.
Hezbollah said the rocket fire was in response to earlier Israeli artillery strikes in southern Lebanon, while Israel said it had targeted Hezbollah operatives and launch sites that posed immediate threats. Throughout the day, both sides reported additional clashes in southern Lebanon, including airstrikes, drone interceptions and attacks on troops. Lebanese authorities reported fatalities from Israeli strikes, while Israel said it had killed multiple Hezbollah fighters and uncovered underground militant infrastructure.
The ceasefire, initially brokered for ten days, followed weeks of intense fighting that began in early March and has resulted in thousands of deaths in Lebanon and significant displacement. Despite the truce, both sides have accused each other of repeated violations. The ongoing negotiations represent the first sustained direct contact between Israel and Lebanon in decades.
International diplomatic efforts have intensified alongside the fighting. France has offered to host a reconstruction conference for southern Lebanon and voiced support for dialogue rather than force to address Hezbollah's disarmament. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials are considering joining the International Criminal Court for a limited period to pursue war crimes allegations related to the conflict.

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