Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon. However, Israeli forces continue to launch attacks in the southern region of the country. They claim that Hezbollah has violated the ceasefire agreement. The Lebanese armed group has simultaneously leveled the same accusation against Israel.
The United States and France mediated this ceasefire, which began last Wednesday. The following day, Israeli forces reported seeing “suspicious” individuals arriving in vehicles in various areas of southern Lebanon, whom they subsequently fired upon. Israel also attacked a Hezbollah missile base in the region.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Fadlallah told journalists that according to the ceasefire agreement, many Lebanese citizens were beginning to return to their homes in border areas, and Israel had attacked them. Lebanon’s military also reported that Israel violated the ceasefire on Wednesday and Thursday.
Netanyahu’s Warning
Yesterday (Thursday), Israel attacked the northern area of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. According to the agreement’s terms, all authorized military infrastructure must be removed from the river’s southern region. However, the northern military infrastructure was not specifically mentioned, so Hezbollah considers the attack on its arsenal a violation of the agreement.
Previously, Israel launched tank attacks on five villages in southern Lebanon, injuring two people. These villages are within two kilometers of the Israel-Lebanon border. According to the agreement, a ceasefire should be in effect in these areas, but Israeli forces have prohibited movement there.
Israel’s military has warned of further attacks in southern Lebanon. Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi stated, “Any deviation from the agreement will be met with gunfire.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed military forces to be prepared for intense fighting if the agreement is violated.
Finger on the Trigger
Since October 7 last year, Israeli forces have been attacking Gaza. Since then, Hezbollah, Israel’s long-time enemy, has been attacking Israel, with Israel retaliating. However, Israel intensified its attacks on Lebanon from September onward, eventually crossing the border and entering southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported on Thursday that in the past year, Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,961 people in Lebanon, with 16,520 injured. Conversely, Israel stated that Hezbollah attacks have killed 65 civilians in northern Israel and the Golan Heights, along with at least 79 Israeli soldiers.
Beyond casualties, thousands of people have fled the Lebanon-Israel border due to mutual attacks. A key goal of the ceasefire agreement is to help these people return home. While southern Lebanese residents have begun returning, Netanyahu’s government has prevented nearly 60,000 people from returning to northern Israel.
According to the ceasefire agreement, Israel will have 60 days to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon. During this period, Israel and Hezbollah are prohibited from attacking each other. Hezbollah has stated they will closely monitor the withdrawal of Israeli troops and remain prepared for any potential situation, with their finger on the trigger.
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