Lebanese PM hails army for preventing rocket attack on Israel
As we reported earlier, the Lebanese army announced that for the first time since Israel’s ceasefire with Hezbollah in November, it stopped an impending rocket attack on Israel and made several arrests.
The office of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has praised the “professional work” that it said would help towards stabilising the country.
He urged the security forces to “thwart suspicious plots that seek to embroil Lebanon in further wars” and said this work proves that the Lebanese state is moving towards full sovereignty over its territory with its own forces.
“The Lebanese state alone is the authority that makes decisions regarding war and peace, and is the body authorised to possess weapons.”
Below are released images of rockets and launching pads confiscated by the Lebanese army during the raid.
إلحاقًا بالبيان الصادر بتاريخ ١٦ / ٤ / ٢٠٢٥ والمتعلق بتوقيف عدد من أفراد المجموعة التي نفذت عمليتَي إطلاق صواريخ في جنوب لبنان، ونتيجة المتابعة والرصد والتحقيقات المستمرة، توافرت لدى مديرية المخابرات معلومات عن التحضير لعملية جديدة لإطلاق صواريخ باتجاه الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة.… pic.twitter.com/sICfmkBQwy
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) April 20, 2025
Attempts at normal life disrupted by Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon
A restaurant has a picturesque view of the tree-covered mountains of southern Lebanon, but its diners have all jumped from their seats, leaving their belongings behind. Some film, even as they cower.
The smoke rising from the nearby mountains indicates what has happened – an Israeli air strike, one of at least three that took place in southern Lebanon today.
It killed two people. Israel said a Hezbollah commander was among the dead although that has not been confirmed by the Lebanese group.
Israel says it strikes Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military says in a statement that it has carried out strikes targeting “several launchers and a military infrastructure site from which Hezbollah terrorists operated in the area of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon”.
The announcement follows what Israel said was a strike targeting a Hezbollah operative in Houla in southern Lebanon earlier in the day.
استمروا بالمباراة رغم الغارات التي كانت تحاوطهم.. مشهد يوم الأحد من الجنوب! pic.twitter.com/5EWpYja3d0
— bintjbeil.org (@bintjbeilnews) April 20, 2025
Translation: The match continued despite the air strikes around them … a scene from a Sunday in the south
Lebanese president says question of Hezbollah disarmament is ‘delicate’
President Joseph Aoun has said that the question of disarming the powerful Lebanese group is “a sensitive, delicate issue that is fundamental to preserving civil peace” and requires “consideration and responsibility”.
“Any controversial domestic issue in Lebanon can only be approached through conciliatory, non-confrontational dialogue and communication. If not, we will lead Lebanon to ruin,” Aoun added.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Friday that the group would not be disarmed while Israel continues to carry out strikes and occupy several points in southern Lebanon.
