Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill two in ‘violation’ of ceasefire, Israel denies violating deal
At least two people were killed Monday in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, Lebanese authorities said, as a ceasefire ending more than a year of hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah appeared fragile.
The agreement, which entered into force on November 27, stipulates that Israel will not carry out military attacks against civilians, soldiers or other government targets in Lebanon, while Lebanon will prevent any armed groups, including Hezbollah, from carrying out combat operations. Israel.
Lebanon and Israel have already traded allegations of violations, and on Monday, Lebanon said the violations had turned deadly.
One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese town of Marjayoun, about 10 kilometers from the Israeli border, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.
Lebanon’s security forces said an Israeli strike killed a member of its forces while on duty in Nabatieh, 12 kilometers from the border. State security officials called it a “flagrant violation” of the agreement.
Lebanon’s military said an Israeli warplane hit an army bulldozer in northeastern Lebanon near the Syrian border, injuring one soldier.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters about the incidents in Marjayoun and Nabatieh. It released a statement saying it attacked military vehicles operating near Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon and military vehicles near the border with Syria.
The Israeli army admitted that a Lebanese soldier was wounded in another attack and said that the incident is still under review.
At least 54 Israeli peace violations to date: Lebanon
The speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah and Beirut’s chief negotiator in the cease-fire talks, said that Lebanon has suffered at least 54 Israeli violations so far.
In a statement issued by his office, Berri called on the committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire to “urgently” begin work and “force” Israel to stop its violations and withdraw troops from Lebanon.
The cease-fire agreement stipulates that a monitoring mechanism managed by the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and led by the United States will “monitor, verify and help ensure the enforcement” of the ceasefire.
“The brutal actions carried out by the Israeli army are a clear violation of the terms of the cease-fire agreement,” Berri said.
It seems that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah continues in Lebanon, bringing peace to the region, after more than a year of fighting. It also allowed thousands of Lebanese citizens to flee their homes, despite warnings from the Israeli army to stop.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denied that his country violated the agreement, saying the problem lies in Hezbollah’s movement of arms and crossing south of the Litani River, in violation of last week’s agreement.
“Israel is committed to successfully implementing the ceasefire, but we will not agree to return to the status quo on October 6, 2023. If a violation occurs, Israel will enforce [the pact],” he said in a statement.
Public broadcaster Kan and other Israeli media outlets reported Monday that US envoy Amos Hochstein, who brokered the deal after weeks of shuttle diplomacy, had warned Israel of the alleged violations.
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