Israel said Friday it would continue striking Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, a day after carrying out its heaviest bombardment yet of south Beirut. The escalation is a violation of the US-brokered ceasefire that began in November.

Israel warned Friday that it would keep striking Lebanon until militant group Hezbollah has been disarmed, hours after hitting south Beirut in what Lebanese leaders called a major violation of a November ceasefire.

Israel has continued to carry out near-daily strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon since then, which Lebanon has said are in violation of the ceasefire deal. Israeli officials say the strikes are intended to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping after a war that took out much of its senior leadership and arsenal.