Just a day after a fragile ceasefire came into effect, tensions are flaring up again between Israel and Hezbollah 😱. On Thursday, the Israeli military reported that its air force struck a Hezbollah facility storing mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon.
Israel claims that Hezbollah breached the ceasefire by allowing \"suspects\" with vehicles into the southern zone. In response, they opened fire, alleging these actions violated the truce that was supposed to halt over a year of fighting.
But Hezbollah isn't taking these accusations lying down. Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah lawmaker, fired back 🎤, accusing Israel of violating the deal first. \"The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages,\" he told reporters. \"There are violations today by Israel, even in this form.\"
The Lebanese army also stepped in, accusing Israel of multiple ceasefire violations on Wednesday and Thursday.
The back-and-forth highlights just how fragile the ceasefire is 😔. Brokered by the United States and France, the truce aims to end the conflict that has been raging alongside the Gaza war. It's set to last 60 days, with hopes of reaching a permanent peace.
Thursday's airstrike by Israel was the first since the ceasefire began on Wednesday morning. Lebanese security sources reported that it happened near Baysariyah, north of the Litani River.
The ceasefire agreement requires unauthorized military facilities south of the Litani River to be dismantled, but it doesn't mention anything about facilities north of the river.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli tank fire hit five towns and agricultural fields in southern Lebanon, wounding at least two people. These areas lie within 2 kilometers of the Blue Line, the border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel. Israel has declared this area a no-go zone, even after the ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military stated that it identified several suspicious activities posing a threat and breaching the ceasefire conditions. \"Any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire,\" warned Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi 🔥.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also chimed in, saying he directed the military to be ready for intense fighting if the ceasefire is violated. \"We are enforcing powerfully,\" he said in an interview. \"But if needed, I gave a directive to the IDF – be prepared…for an intense war.\"
Meanwhile, Lebanese families displaced from their homes near the southern border are trying to return to check on their properties 🏠. However, Israeli troops remain stationed in towns along the border, and surveillance drones are buzzing over parts of southern Lebanon.
Adding to the tension, the Israeli military renewed a curfew on Thursday, restricting movement of residents south of the Litani River between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The situation is tense, and everyone is holding their breath, hoping this fragile ceasefire doesn't collapse. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops 🙏.
Reference(s):
Israel and Hezbollah trade accusations of ceasefire violations
cgtn.com
