Israel warns US it will escalate Lebanon strikes if Hezbollah doesn’t stop relentless attacks on IDF soldiers

Peloni:  The pretense of peace is forcing unnecessary battle casualties rather than peaceful cooperation.   Such costs do not aid either Israel or Lebanon, but of course, the break in the war against Hezbollah was not really about bringing peace in Southern Lebanon, but was instead offered as a concession to the Iranians for their cooperation in entering negotiations.  Days later, Hezbollah continues to attack Israel, and Iran continues to offer threats and marginal peace concessions, as Trump continues to simultaneously talk about peace in Lebanon and peace in Iran, neither of which appear to be close at hand.

IDF soldier killed as Israeli troops are under incessant drone attacks despite ceasefire

All Israel News Staff | Published: April 27, 2026

Helicopter under drone attack as evacuation of wounded takes place in Southern Lebanon over the weekend.  Screengrab via X.

Israel has warned the United States that it might escalate its strikes on Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, risking the fragile ceasefire, if the terror group continues its relentless attacks on Israeli troops and towns that killed at least one soldier and wounded several others on Sunday.

According to two sources cited by The Jerusalem Post, Israeli officials told the Trump administration that the IDF’s current policy of “measured” attacks could not be sustained much longer.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel has the right to respond to “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks” from Hezbollah. However, Jerusalem reportedly assured U.S. President Donald Trump that it would scale back its strikes to avoid jeopardizing the ceasefire in Lebanon – and, by extension, the broader ceasefire with Iran.

Over the past few days, Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on Israeli soldiers deployed in the security zone in southern Lebanon, as well as on northern Israeli towns, mostly using drones.

On Sunday, a drone strike killed IDF Sgt. Idan Fooks (19) and severely wounded three other soldiers. During the evacuation of the soldiers, one drone was intercepted while another exploded close to the IDF’s helicopter and several soldiers, without causing further injuries.

In addition, the IDF shot down three drones in the Western Galilee and two others that targeted IDF troops in southern Lebanon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Our hearts grieve over fallen soldier… Idan fought with bravery and courage alongside his comrades to restore security to the residents of the North, and this is what we shall continue to do.”

Fooks is the third soldier to die during the ceasefire, after two others were killed by a roadside bomb, which the IDF assessed was not detonated remotely but left behind by terrorists before the ceasefire began in early April.

The terror group has vowed to disregard the ceasefire, claiming that its attacks are “a legitimate response to the enemy’s persistent violations of the ceasefire since the first day of the announcement of the temporary truce.”

“Hezbollah affirms clearly and firmly that the enemy’s continued ceasefire violations… and above all its continued occupation of Lebanese territory and violations of its sovereignty” will be met with further “resistance.”

In response to the ongoing attacks, the IDF Home Front Command reinstated restrictions on gatherings near the border, including in the northern communities of Meron, Bar Yohai, Or HaGanuz, and Safsufa, where gatherings will be limited to 1,500 people.

Amid increasing criticism of the lack of Israeli response to the Hezbollah attacks, Netanyahu said in a government meeting on Sunday: “One might get the impression that the IDF is not active there. It is active, and it is acting with force. It must be understood that Hezbollah’s violations are essentially disintegrating the ceasefire. Therefore, as far as we are concerned, what obligates us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, and the security of our communities.”

He noted that Israel is trying to adhere to the rules of the ceasefire, including “freedom of action, not only to respond to attacks, which is obvious, but to thwart immediate threats and also to neutralize emerging threats. In the past two weeks, according to Northern Command, we have eliminated 46 terrorists, and we will act with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.”

“We are not prepared to accept this lawlessness. We will do whatever is necessary to restore security to the North,” he vowed.

The Israeli military continued to provide updates on operations in southern Lebanon, where troops are searching for and clearing remaining Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons.

“Over the past days, more than 50 terror infrastructure sites were dismantled, including an underground compound used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm IDF soldiers and the State of Israel,” the IDF said.

“During a targeted raid in the Aadshit al-Qusayr area, a weapons storage facility with numerous weapons was located inside a children’s room. Among the weapons located: explosives, ‘Kalashnikov’ rifles, grenades, RPGs, machine guns, munitions, and combat equipment. The Hezbollah terrorist organization cynically exploits the civilian population in Lebanon in order to execute terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.”

On Sunday, the IDF struck Hezbollah sites with artillery and airstrikes, including “rocket-launching terrorist cells preparing to carry out rocket attacks toward IDF soldiers and the State of Israel, a loaded and ready-to-launch rocket launcher, a weapons storage facility, and military structures. In addition, terrorists identified operating within a military structure, as well as another terrorist identified riding a motorcycle, were struck.”