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BEIRUT — Hezbollah said it launched rockets and drones into northern Israel, accusing the Israeli military of violating a ceasefire agreement that took effect last week. The Israeli military, for its part, said it struck the launcher from which the rockets were fired and reported intercepting a drone.

The exchange marks the first such claim by Hezbollah since the truce began, according to multiple reports.

The ten-day ceasefire, mediated by Washington, came into force on April 16, though Israeli forces remain deployed in a belt of southern Lebanon five to ten kilometers deep along the border, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage across outlets varied in emphasis. Al Jazeera highlighted protests in northern Israel, reporting that shops and schools were closed as residents expressed dissatisfaction with the ceasefire, with Israeli officials indicating that operations might continue. The South China Morning Post focused on Hezbollah's attack and its accusation of a "blatant violation" by Israel, quoting both Hezbollah's statement and the Israeli military's response. TASS, quoting Hezbollah's Telegram statement, provided the specific time and target of the attack. The Hindu's reports centered on the Israeli military's strike on a missile launcher and the extension of the ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump.

Key Claims

  • Hezbollah's attack: Hezbollah announced it fired rockets and drones into northern Israel in response to what it described as the enemy's violation of the ceasefire. This claim was reported by multiple sources, including the South China Morning Post and TASS, though the specific time (2:30 a.m. on April 9, 2026) and target (the Jewish settlement Manara) were carried only by TASS.
  • Israeli military response: The Israeli military said it struck the launcher from which rockets were fired, and that air defenses intercepted a drone. This was reported by The Hindu, which also noted that Israeli air defenses intercepted the attack. The interception was also mentioned by TASS, citing Israel's Ynet news website.
  • Ceasefire violations: Hezbollah accused Israel of attacking civilians and destroying homes in breach of the truce. This accusation was reported by multiple sources, including the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
  • US-mediated talks: Washington-mediated talks between Israeli and Lebanese governments were scheduled, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • Ceasefire extension: US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire had been extended by three weeks, according to The Hindu.
  • Protests in northern Israel: Al Jazeera reported that residents protested against the ceasefire, calling it ineffective, with shops and schools shutting down.

Perspectives

From Hezbollah's perspective, the attack was a legitimate response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which they say included artillery shelling toward a south Lebanese town and attacks on civilians. Hezbollah's statement, as quoted by TASS, threatened further retaliation until what it called "US-Israeli aggression" ceases.

The Israeli military, conversely, described Hezbollah's fire as a "blatant violation" of the agreement and reserved the right to act against ongoing threats, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Israeli officials have indicated operations may continue with forces remaining in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.

The extension of the ceasefire, announced by President Trump, suggests a diplomatic effort to maintain calm, though the continued deployment of Israeli forces and mutual accusations indicate fragile conditions on the ground.