Israeli forces have launched new drone and artillery strikes in southern Lebanon, killing a shepherd, which threatens a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged continued military action against Hezbollah.

Hezbollah's drone strikes on Israel escalate tensions, breaching ceasefire. Israel retaliates with heavy artillery and airstrikes in southern Lebanon.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

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.

Israeli forces carried out several new drone and artillery strikes in Lebanon on Tuesday, including a deadly strike that the Health Ministry and state media said killed a shepherd, further shaking a tenuous ceasefire meant to end more than a year of fighting with Hezbollah.

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.

The Israeli military said on Monday it struck dozens of targets throughout Lebanon, shortly after Hezbollah accused Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement and fired missiles on an Israeli military position in the disputed Shebaa Farms area.