Hezbollah Fires Rockets at Israel Hours After US-Backed Ceasefire Begins

Israeli air defenses intercepted multiple rockets fired from Lebanon on Wednesday, hours after a US-mediated ceasefire agreement took effect, according to officials familiar with the situation. The incident represents the first major violation of the fragile accord that Washington spent weeks negotiating between the two sides.

What happened overnight

Sirens wailed across northern Israel around 3:00 a.m. local time as Iron Dome batteries engaged incoming projectiles. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed at least three launches were detected originating from southern Lebanon. No injuries were reported, but damage was reported in the town of Kiryat Shmona, where debris scattered across residential streets.

The Lebanese Armed Forces did not immediately comment on the launches. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia that controls much of southern Lebanon, has not issued a public statement addressing the incident as of early morning hours.

Ceasefire terms under pressure

The agreement, which came into effect at midnight, established a 60-day window during which both sides would withdraw forces from a buffer zone along the border. The deal requires Hezbollah to move its fighters north of the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometers from the Israeli frontier.

US officials who helped broker the accord had warned that the first 48 hours would be critical for establishing whether both parties were committed to the terms. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the ceasefire "a genuine opportunity" during remarks in Washington on Tuesday, adding that the United States would "watch closely" for compliance.

Regional reaction and concerns

The rocket launches drew swift condemnation from European capitals. Germany's foreign ministry called the incident "deeply troubling" and urged all parties to respect the ceasefire terms. Egypt's foreign ministry offered to help monitor compliance, according to a statement released in Cairo.

UN special coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the organization was in contact with both governments and called for "maximum restraint" in the hours ahead. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, confirmed it was monitoring the situation from positions along the demarcation line.

Washington's diplomatic gamble

The Biden administration invested considerable political capital in reaching the ceasefire, viewing it as a rare diplomatic success in a region where US influence has faced repeated setbacks. The deal followed months of shuttle diplomacy by senior officials who met separately with Israeli and Lebanese representatives.

Critics in Washington have questioned whether the administration can enforce compliance without a robust monitoring mechanism. Senator Jim Risch, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the early violation "demonstrates the fundamental weakness of this approach."

What happens next

Israeli officials convened an emergency meeting of the security cabinet to discuss the response. Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari told reporters the IDF "will respond appropriately" but declined to specify what actions were being considered. The cabinet is expected to issue a formal statement later Wednesday morning.

Analysts say the coming days will determine whether the ceasefire can survive its initial test. "Both sides are watching how the other responds," said a former UN diplomat familiar with negotiations in the region. "The next 24 hours are crucial."

International monitors are expected to begin patrolling the buffer zone by Thursday, according to documents outlining the agreement's implementation timeline.