Israel Accused Of Violating The Ceasefire Agreement In Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon: Two days into agreeing upon a fragile ceasefire deal, Israel and Hezbollah accused each other of breaching it. Reportedly, the Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) launched multiple attacks on what it claims are Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Israel also said that it opened fire on what it called “suspects” with vehicles arriving at several areas in the southern zone. Tel Aviv called it a breach of truce.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused IOF of violating the deal. He said, “The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages.”
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The Lebanese army also said Israel has breached the agreement several times on Wednesday and Thursday. “The Israeli enemy violated the agreement several times,” it said.
Israel also renewed the curfew imposed on residents in southern Lebanon, as thousands returned to their damaged homes. A number of incidents were reported where the Israeli army opened fire at the people, killing and injuring some.
The Lebanese people say that it is their country, and they can go where they want. Tel Aviv said they are maintaining the terms of the ceasefire, and people were in the areas where they should not have been. IOF said people were too close to where Israel still maintains positions inside Lebanese territory.
Israel also practiced an airstrike on what it described as a facility used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon.
Earlier, an Israeli tank fired at five towns and some agricultural fields in southern Lebanon, state media and Lebanese security sources said, saying at least two people were wounded. The airstrike on Thursday was the first since the truce took effect on Wednesday morning. Lebanese security sources and the Al Jadeed broadcaster said it took place near Baysariyah, north of the Litani River, as reported by Reuters.
The accusations highlight the fragility of the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by the United States and France to call an end to the year-long conflict, which spiralled into a full-on war nearly two months ago.
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In its recent statement, IOF said that it had identified several suspicious activities that posed a threat and breached conditions of the ceasefire agreement. “Any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire,” said Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi.
During his first interview after reaching the ceasefire agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had directed the military to be prepared for intense war if the ceasefire agreement is violated.
“We are enforcing powerfully. But if needed, I gave a directive to the IDF: be prepared in case there is a violation of the framework of the ceasefire for an intense war”, Netanyahu said during an interview with Channel 12.
