Despite a declared ceasefire in Lebanon, the Israeli military says it is continuing operations against Hezbollah in the country’s south, warning residents to avoid returning to affected areas.

Military spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said Israeli forces were still conducting strikes and raids on what he described as Hezbollah facilities and infrastructure located inside and near southern Lebanese villages.

“The fighting in southern Lebanon is ongoing, as the IDF continues to target Hezbollah facilities and infrastructure located in and near your villages,” Adraee said in a warning addressed to residents.

He urged civilians not to travel south of the Zahrani River “until further notice,” adding that “anyone traveling south is putting their life at risk.”

Separately, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the US-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon as a major diplomatic and security achievement, saying it reflected what he called a new reality on the ground.

“Members of the opposition should apologize and acknowledge this great achievement in Lebanon, on the ground and also on the diplomatic level,” Katz said in a statement.

He added that the agreement “is an expression of the reality we’ve created in Lebanon up until now. A reality that can lead to a peace deal with the state of Lebanon.”

“We promised security to the residents of the north, and we delivered,” he said.

Katz also said the understanding included what he described as an explicit commitment to the disarmament of Hezbollah, the removal of its fighters from areas south of the Litani River, the continued presence of Israeli forces in what he called a security zone, and what he described as Israel’s freedom of action.

He said Israeli operations in southern Lebanon would continue for the time being, and warned that Lebanese residents displaced from border areas would not be allowed to return yet.

His remarks came a day after Lebanon and Israel announced agreement on the implementation of a ceasefire during talks held in Washington. According to the deal, its continuation is contingent on Hezbollah also halting fire.

In his statement, Katz said Israeli troops would remain deployed in a designated security zone in southern Lebanon, including the area around Beaufort Castle, a 900-year-old fortress seized by Israeli forces earlier in the week.

He also said Israel would continue to dismantle what he called “terrorist infrastructure” in the area, adding that Israel would retain “freedom of action,” with US backing, to strike targets in Beirut in response to attacks on Israeli territory and communities.