Escalation of Israeli Ceasefire Violations in Southern Lebanon
Figure: screenshot from a footage showing Israeli strike in southern Lebanon
Author: Sia Jyoti
Overview
Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah on November 27, 2024, in May 2025, violations of the ceasefire agreement sharply surged, primarily in southern Lebanon, an area partially under Israeli occupation. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) conducted a series of kinetic operations, mainly airstrikes and drone attacks, resulting in civilian and militant casualties, as well as significant infrastructural damage. The resumption of intensified hostilities marks the most severe breach of the ceasefire since its inception, raising alarms over its durability and the risk of renewed full-scale conflict.
According to ACLED data, Israel conducted 330 air and artillery strikes between November 27, 2024, and January 10, 2025, with 260 incidents involving property destruction. Although March 2025 saw the peak of Israeli activity (80 recorded strikes), May 2025 marked a distinct shift in target profiles and geographies, emphasizing the targeting of command units, weapons infrastructure, and even UN peacekeeping perimeters.
Key incidents in May 2025 include:
May 1: Drone strike in Mays al-Jabal killed three, including two Syrians and one Lebanese national, targeting Hezbollah operatives.
May 8: Heavy airstrikes in Nabatieh, Southern Lebanon, targeting a Hezbollah infrastructure site, resulted in one casualty and eight injuries.
May 14: Ground fire near a UN post struck the UNIFIL perimeter, causing no casualties.
May 19: Multiple drone and airstrikes and gunfire in Dhayra, Marjayoun District, and Houla area, injuring three and killing Hezbollah operative Issa Hussan Qteish.
May 20: Airstrikes and drones across South Lebanon resulted in nine injured, five critically (including two children), with the IDF claiming a Hezbollah commander was killed, which the group denied.
May 21: Drone and airstrikes across South Lebanon killed Hezbollah operative and commander Issa Hassan Qteish and Hussain Nazih Berji.
May 29: A precision strike in Kfar Kila killed one municipal worker.
May 31: A drone strike on a vehicle in Deir al-Zahrani resulted in one civilian casualty, reportedly a rocket unit commander.
Casualties
Confirmed deaths and injuries resulting from IDF operations in May 2025:
May 1: Two Hezbollah operatives killed in Mays al-Jabal.
May 8: One Hezbollah member killed, eight injured.
May 11: Lebanese women and husband wounded by IDF firing rubber bullets.
May 13: Hezbollah operative eliminated in Nabatieh drone strike.
May 15: One Hezbollah operative killed.
May 17: One Hezbollah operative killed.
May 29: One municipal worker killed in Kfar Kila.
May 31: Rocket unit commander reportedly killed near Deir al-Zahrani.
The series of Israeli military actions in May 2025 represents a significant breach of the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. The operations have resulted in multiple casualties and have targeted both military and civilian infrastructure. The IDF maintains that these actions are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its military capabilities. However, the frequency and intensity of these operations have raised concerns about the potential for a full-scale resumption of hostilities in the region.
