Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Sep 16: The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that it had struck a Hezbollah command center in southern Lebanon, as part of ongoing operations despite the formal ceasefire agreement with the militant group. The strike took place in Yater, a town in southern Lebanon, where two missiles were reportedly fired at a vehicle, wounding one person, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. The country's Health Ministry also confirmed the casualty.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation specifically targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and reiterated its commitment to continuing such actions to “eliminate threats to Israel.” As of now, Hezbollah has not issued any comment on the incident.

These cross-border skirmishes come despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France, which officially came into effect on November 27, 2024, following more than a year of hostilities. Although the agreement called for an Israeli withdrawal from border areas by February 18, the IDF has maintained a presence in parts of southern Lebanon, citing persistent security threats.

Airstrike in Doha Raises Regional Alarm

In a separate and highly unusual development, Israel last week conducted a targeted airstrike in Doha, the capital of Qatar—a rare move that marks a significant escalation in regional military activity. The strike was aimed at a building reportedly used by senior Hamas officials, with Israeli intelligence identifying it as a hub for leaders linked to the October 7 attacks.

The operation was jointly carried out by the IDF and Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency. In a joint statement, both bodies confirmed that the strike used precision-guided munitions and actionable intelligence to minimize civilian harm while aiming directly at high-ranking Hamas figures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged the operation, calling it "a wholly independent Israeli mission." He emphasized that "Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."

Eyewitnesses in Doha reported hearing loud explosions and seeing a plume of smoke rising over the city. While no casualties have been officially confirmed yet, the strike has drawn regional attention due to its unprecedented nature and the potential diplomatic fallout, particularly given Qatar’s role as a mediator in multiple regional conflicts.

These latest developments underline the volatile security landscape in the Middle East, as Israel continues to assert its military reach amid ongoing threats from Hezbollah and Hamas, even beyond its immediate borders.