Lebanese PM calls for pressure to halt Israeli ceasefire violations

Beirut: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged pressure on Israel to stop its violations of the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, according to a statement by the Council of Ministers, Lebanon's cabinet.

Mikati made the remarks during a phone conversation on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which they discussed the current situation in Lebanon after the ceasefire took effect early Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

During their conversation, Mikati expressed gratitude to Macron for his assistance in "stopping the Israeli aggression and reaching an understanding in this regard."

He noted that the Lebanese army has begun missions in the south, the Bekaa, and Beirut's southern suburbs, with plans to bolster its deployment in the southern Litani sector.

Mikati said Thursday's violations of the ceasefire agreement resulted in injuries and significant damage.

In the first breach of the agreement, an Israeli airstrike on a car in the southeastern village of Markaba injured two Lebanese, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

Later, an Israeli drone raid on a gathering in the village of Taybeh injured four more people, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

Earlier on Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it conducted a drone strike in southern Lebanon in the morning, describing it as a warning shot.

The IDF said several "suspects," some with vehicles, entered areas in southern Lebanon, violating the ceasefire agreement.

In response, the Israeli military said it fired a warning shot near a vehicle in the Markaba area, aiming to deter it without causing casualties.

Israel's security cabinet on Tuesday night approved a ceasefire deal with Lebanon, paving the way for an end to a nearly 14-month conflict.

According to the ceasefire deal, the Lebanese army will take control of its territory over the next 60 days; Israel will gradually withdraw, and civilians will return home.