The military emphasized that it would continue operating against immediate threats and would not allow Hezbollah to endanger Israeli civilians or soldiers.By Shula Rosen, United With IsraelThe IDF carried out its first strike in Lebanon in three days on Monday, targeting an armed terrorist cell operating near Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, shortly after a senior Iranian diplomat warned that further Israeli military action against Lebanon and Hezbollah would cross a “red line.”According to the military, Israeli forces identified a group of armed terrorists near troops operating in the security zone along the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon.“Following rapid identification, the terrorists were struck north of the security zone in order to remove the threat,” the IDF said in a statement.The military emphasized that it would continue operating against immediate threats and would not allow Hezbollah to endanger Israeli civilians or soldiers.The strike came shortly after Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, warned that Tehran would respond to any Israeli action against Lebanon and Hezbollah.Speaking to reporters, Bahreini declared that further attacks on Lebanon, including Beirut and its south, constituted a “red line” for Iran.“We will respond to any violation of the understanding by Israel in any form, including by attacking Lebanon and Hezbollah,” he said.Bahreini also pointed to the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States, arguing that all parties had committed to an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.Following the strike, Hezbollah accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and claimed the victims were civilians.In a statement, the group claimed Israeli forces opened fire toward a group of civilians in Nabatieh al-Fawqa who were allegedly clearing roads and recovering bodies from rubble. Hezbollah said two people were killed, including a municipal employee, and described the incident as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.Following the strike, Hezbollah accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and claimed the victims were civilians.In a statement, the group claimed Israeli forces opened fire toward a group of civilians in Nabatieh al-Fawqa who were allegedly clearing roads and recovering bodies from rubble. Hezbollah said two people were killed, including a municipal employee, and described the incident as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.However, several hours later, the IDF confirmed a second incident in the same Ali al-Taher area, saying four Hezbollah terrorists disguised as civilians crossed into the security zone aboard a bulldozer and a motorcycle and approached Israeli forces.According to the military, troops first fired warning shots after identifying the suspects. When the terrorists continued advancing and ignored calls to stop, Israeli forces opened additional fire to remove what was described as an immediate threat. The IDF said hits were identified.The military accused Hezbollah of using civilian cover to conceal terrorist activity, calling the incident another example of the group’s exploitation of Lebanese civilians and civilian infrastructure as shields for its operations.Israeli officials have repeatedly insisted that despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the IDF retains full freedom of action against threats in southern Lebanon and will continue enforcing security requirements near the border.The post IDF strikes armed terror cell; Hezbollah claims ceasefire violation appeared first on World Israel News.