Synopsis
Israel has resumed airstrikes in southern Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire with Hezbollah. The attacks come after months of conflict and ongoing negotiations for peace. The situation raises concerns about the stability of the ceasefire agreement as both sides navigate the complexities of their relationship.Key Takeaways
- Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
- Ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah has been disrupted.
- Ceasefire agreement in effect since November 27, 2024.
- Israeli military claims to target threats from Hezbollah.
- Conflict has displaced 1.2 million people.
Beirut, Feb 23 (NationPress) Israel has initiated airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday, even with a ceasefire currently in place that concluded months of conflict with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, as reported by media outlets.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. local time, Israeli fighter jets executed an airstrike on the outskirts of Ansar, a village located in Nabatieh Governorate. They also conducted two additional airstrikes in the region between the towns of Qlayleh and Al-Sama'iya, along with strikes in the valley near the village of Maaroub in Tyre District, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency NNA.
Additionally, Israeli warplanes targeted locations in Saida District in southern Lebanon, as reported by NNA.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been active since November 27, 2024, concluding over a year of hostilities involving Hezbollah and Israel, which intensified following the onset of the war in Gaza, according to the Xinhua news agency.
The agreement outlined that Israel would withdraw from Lebanese land within 60 days, while the Lebanese army would be positioned along the Lebanese-Israeli border and in the southern area to ensure that no weapons or militants remained south of the Litani River.
Despite the stipulated withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, Israel has continued to hold five strategic positions along the Lebanese border beyond the February 18 deadline.
Even with the truce, the Israeli military persists in executing sporadic strikes in Lebanon, asserting that these are aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from Hezbollah.
Israel claims to have eliminated over 2,000 Hezbollah members, while the Lebanese Health Ministry reports that the conflict has led to the displacement of 1.2 million individuals.
Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, encountering fierce resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military had previously engaged in cross-border attacks with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant faction that commenced firing rockets into Israel on October 7, 2023, the day after the war in Gaza began.
Lebanese politicians have criticized the ongoing airstrikes, stating that they undermine US-led ceasefire negotiations. The deputy speaker of parliament accused Israel of intensifying its bombardment to pressure Lebanon into making concessions during indirect ceasefire talks with Hezbollah.
