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 latest Israeli strikes came shortly after Hezbollah accused Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement and fired missiles on an Israeli military position in the disputed Shebaa Farms area in what the Iran-backed group called a "defensive warning strike."

Hezbollah has claimed the first strike against Israel since a US-backed cease-fire plan came into effect less than a week ago, prompting Israeli officials to vow a strong response in the most serious threat so far to the truce with Lebanon.