The Israeli military said it carried out an air strike in south Lebanon Saturday that targeted a senior militant from Hezbollah's aerial unit, accusing him of repeatedly violating a ceasefire.

"A short while ago, the IAF (air force) conducted a precise and intelligence-based strike on a central terrorist in Hezbollah's aerial unit in the area of southern Lebanon," the military said in a statement.

"The terrorist was targeted after repeatedly violating the understandings between Israel and Lebanon over the past few weeks, including his role in leading the launch of UAVs (drones) towards Israeli territory."