Israel has launched an attack on southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah, just one day after signing a framework peace agreement with Lebanon, according to reports from Reuters, AFP, and other news agencies.

According to Lebanon's state-run news agency, an Israeli drone struck the Nabatieh region in southern Lebanon on June 27, local time.

An Israeli military spokesperson also told AFP that "the airstrike targeted terror suspects deemed a threat to the Israel Defense Forces."

The attack occurred only one day after Israel and Lebanon signed a framework peace agreement, brokered by the United States, to halt armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the framework peace agreement the previous day at the State Department in Washington, D.C., alongside Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., and Nada Hamade Moawad, the Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S.

However, observers have noted that the agreement has limitations, as Hezbollah, which is effectively in conflict with Israel, did not participate.

A memorandum of understanding on ending the war, signed by the U.S. and Iran and effective as of June 18, included provisions to cease military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have been identified as a destabilizing factor for the ceasefire.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem issued a statement immediately following the Israeli attack, declaring the agreement "invalid." He stated, "The agreement reached in Washington yesterday is humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty."

He criticized the deal, saying, "Lebanon is justifying Israel's occupation," and added, "Any attempt to link Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon with the disarmament of Hezbollah crosses a red line."

He further added, "We will continue to apply pressure until Israel withdraws from Lebanon."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in a video message, "I have ordered the Israeli military to maintain a long-term presence in the security zone in southern Lebanon."

The security zone referred to by the Israeli side encompasses an area extending up to 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory.

He emphasized, "The principle established in this agreement is that Israel will not redeploy or withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah disarms throughout all of Lebanon."

He continued, "If Iran attempts to attack Israel to prevent the implementation of this agreement, we will respond with overwhelming force."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)