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 Israel Defense Forces said the country "remains obligated" to a U.S.-backed ceasefire after carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon Monday in response to Hezbollah's first attack under the truce, shrugging off fears that the agreement might collapse.