Shocking images of recent violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon continue to captivate the world. Israeli strikes have killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon, in violation of the ceasefire agreed by the United States and France last week. It was the deadliest day since the agreement went into effect.
The targets of the strikes were in Nabatiyeh governorate, near the Israeli border, killing five people in Haris and four in Tallosa, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Three people were injured. Despite this, the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah appears to be holding, even as both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.
Hezbollah responded to the Israeli strikes by launching two projectiles toward Israeli-occupied territory, in retaliation for the latter’s repeated attacks on Lebanon since Thursday, the day after the truce went into effect.
The projectiles hit an open area, and no casualties were reported by the Israeli military. Shortly after, the Israeli military launched strikes against “Hezbollah terrorists, dozens of launchers and terrorist infrastructure across Lebanon,” as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised in response to the Hezbollah attack, which he called a “grave violation of the ceasefire.”
Lebanese state media also reported low-altitude Israeli drone flights over Beirut and its southern suburbs, Hezbollah strongholds. CNN teams on the ground reported hearing a drone flying low over the Lebanese capital.
Despite allegations of violations by both sides, the United States and France appear to question Israel’s adherence to the terms of the ceasefire. According to Israeli media, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that the Jewish state has violated the ceasefire agreement “approximately 100 times” since it went into effect. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the claims.
While Hezbollah justifies its actions by citing Israeli violations, Israel is highlighting Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the Israeli-Lebanese border area as a key condition of the deal. This escalation of tensions threatens to jeopardize the agreement that was reached.
It is essential for all parties involved to respect and enforce the ceasefire to avoid a military escalation. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation and call for calm to preserve fragile regional stability.
In this tense context, it is imperative that efforts be made to promote dialogue and find peaceful solutions to the differences between Israel and HezbollahOnly mutual respect, cooperation and political will on both sides will ensure long-term peace in this troubled region.