Israel Continues Strikes In Lebanon Despite Ceasefire With Hezbollah
Israel continued carrying out air raids and artillery attacks in southern Lebanon on Friday despite a newly announced ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
The ceasefire, reportedly brokered by Qatar, the United States and Iran, came into effect at 4 pm local time (1300 GMT).
Officials from the US and Gulf countries told international news agencies that both Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to halt hostilities following days of escalating violence.
However, according to Al Jazeera, at least 12 Israeli air raids and continued artillery shelling were reported in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire deadline had passed, raising concerns about the future of the fragile agreement.
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The report said the ceasefire was aimed at preventing the conflict in Lebanon from undermining broader diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting peace deal between Iran and the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since midnight on Friday killed at least 47 people and injured 97 others.
A senior US official told Reuters that the ceasefire had been achieved through mediation efforts involving the US, Qatar and Iran. Hezbollah sources and Israeli officials also confirmed the agreement to international media outlets.
A Hezbollah official told Al Jazeera that the ceasefire would remain in place as long as Israel respected its terms. Meanwhile, an Israeli official told Reuters that Israel would refrain from military action if Hezbollah did not launch attacks.
Despite those assurances, residents in southern Lebanon reported continued bombardment.
Al Jazeera correspondent Heidi Pett, reporting from Tyre, said many people questioned whether the ceasefire had any real meaning as military activity continued after the agreement took effect.
The Israeli military stated that it would retain “operational freedom” to respond to what it considers threats in southern Lebanon, a position that critics say leaves room for further military action despite the truce.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also criticised Israel following remarks by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called for Lebanon to be “burned” after four Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon.
According to Al Jazeera, Araghchi accused Israel of seeking “permanent war” and described the Israeli government as a threat to regional stability.
