As tit-for-tat strikes strain a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah less than a week since it went into effect, Israel’s defense minister on Tuesday threatened to directly target the Lebanese state should the agreement fall apart.

Israel hits Lebanon with its largest wave of airstrikes since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, as both sides accuse each other of violations.

The Israeli military says Hezbollah has fired into a disputed border zone, its first attack since a ceasefire took hold last week. It comes after Hezbollah accused Israel of violating the truce with airstrikes and shelling in Lebanon.

Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon, Lebanese authorities said Monday, the deadliest day since a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France came into effect last week.

The Israeli military says Hezbollah has fired into a disputed border zone, the group's first attack since a ceasefire took hold last week. Lebanon has accused Israel of violating the

Israel said it struck targets in Lebanon on Monday evening after vowing to retaliate for an attack by Hezbollah on a military post, with both sides accusing each other of violating last week's ceasefire. At least nine people were killed by Israeli strikes on two southern Lebanese villages, according to the country's public health ministry.

The rebel offensive in Syria started after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a cease-fire in Lebanon, where conflict has weakened key backers of Syria’s government.

Israel issued a warning at Lebanon that it will not long distinguish between Beirut and Hezbollah should the cease-fire between Jerusalem and the terrorist group collapse following an exchange of strikes.