Ceasefire broken again as Israel kills nine in Lebanon after Hezbollah rocket attack

Nine people were killed in Israeli strikes on villages in southern Lebanon on Monday after Israel said it was taking aim at dozens of Hezbollah targets in retaliation for an attack claimed by the militant group during a fragile ceasefire.

Both Israel and Hezbollah faced accusations on Monday of breaching the truce that took effect Wednesday to end a war that has killed thousands of people in Lebanon and sparked mass displacements on both sides of the border.

The Israeli military, in a statement, said that it "struck Hezbollah terrorists, dozens of launchers, and terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon."

"Israel demands that the relevant parties in Lebanon fulfill their responsibilities and prevent Hezbollah's hostile activity," the statement said.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strikes killed five people and wounded two in the village of Haris "in an initial toll," while in the village of Tallous, another four people were killed and one was wounded.

Earlier, Hezbollah said it had launched an attack targeting an Israeli position in "the occupied hills of Kfar Shouba," in a disputed part of the border area between Israel and Lebanon.

Israel's military said Hezbollah had launched two projectiles toward one of its posts in the area of Har Dov, Israel's term for the disputed Shebaa Farms.

After that attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of a "serious violation" and vowed to "respond forcefully."

"We are determined to uphold the ceasefire and respond to any violation by Hezbollah, no matter how minor or serious," he said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also vowed a "harsh response."

Shortly afterward, the Israeli military said it was striking targets in Lebanon.

Lebanon's official National News Agency reported strikes on areas of the country's south, where Hezbollah has long held sway, around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the border with Israel.