Israel launched strikes on targets in Lebanon on Monday evening, fulfilling its vow to retaliate for an earlier Hezbollah attack on an Israeli military post. Both sides accused the other of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered just last week.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to Lebanon’s public health ministry, Israeli strikes on two southern villages killed at least nine people. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that its operations targeted Hezbollah infrastructure “throughout Lebanon” while reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire terms.
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Hezbollah, in turn, claimed its actions were a response to alleged Israeli “violations.” The group said it carried out a “defensive warning” by firing mortars at an Israeli army position in the Shebaa Farms area, a disputed zone along the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel reported no injuries from the strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hezbollah’s actions as “a severe violation of the ceasefire” and pledged a strong response. When the truce was first announced, Netanyahu had warned that Israel would act decisively against any breaches.
The renewed violence underscores the fragility of the agreement, which was intended to end 13 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The United States and France, both key facilitators of the deal, had hailed it as a step toward securing Israel from Hezbollah and other militant threats from Lebanon.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hezbollah has 60 days to withdraw its armed presence from southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces are required to pull back from the same region within the same timeframe. Monday’s escalation raises concerns about the sustainability of the truce and the potential for further hostilities.
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