Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Continue Despite Ceasefire
Despite a declared ceasefire, violence persists in southern Lebanon, with Israeli attacks claiming lives and raising tensions. The recent strikes follow escalating tensions, and threaten to unravel any hopes for lasting peace.
Recent Attacks and Casualties
Attacks by Israel on multiple vehicles in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of three individuals. These assaults occur even though a November ceasefire agreement was established with the armed group Hezbollah.
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, an “Israeli enemy” drone strike on a car in Kunin resulted in one death. In Mahrouna, near Tyre, two more people were killed in an Israeli strike on a motorcycle.
The Israeli army asserted the car attack successfully “eliminated the terrorist Hassan Muhammad Hammoudi,” accusing him of being responsible for anti-tank missile assaults on Israeli territory during a recent conflict. These most recent attacks came a day after an Israeli strike killed a woman, and injured 25 individuals throughout southern Lebanon.
The National News Agency of Lebanon reported that the woman died in an Israeli drone strike on an apartment in Nabatieh.
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“The army did not target any civilian building, claiming that the woman was killed by a Hezbollah rocket set off by the Israeli strike.”
—Israeli army spokesperson
In 2023, the United Nations reported a sharp increase in cross-border violence between Israel and Lebanon, the deadliest since the 2006 war (UN Report).
Ongoing Violations of Ceasefire
Israel maintains troops in five locations across southern Lebanon and has continually bombed the neighboring country despite the ceasefire. The agreement was meant to end over a year of fire exchanges and nearly two months of all-out war.
President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon has accused Israel of repeatedly breaching the US-brokered deal, requiring the country to withdraw all troops from the nation.
The agreement stipulated that Hezbollah would move its fighters north of the Litani River, around 30km (20 miles) from the Israeli border. This would leave the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers in charge.
