According to a report by Al Jazeera, Israeli military forces have launched two recent attacks on southern Lebanon, resulting in casualties despite a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah that was established just days prior.
On Saturday, a drone strike targeted the village of Rub Thalatheen, killing two individuals and injuring two others, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. In a separate incident, another drone strike hit a vehicle in Majdal Zoun, leading to injuries for three people, including a seven-year-old child, as reported by Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
The Israeli military justified these operations by stating they are working to distance “suspects” from the region, although they did not provide specific details about the targets. Israel has maintained that it reserves the right to respond to any perceived violations of the ceasefire by Hezbollah. This stance has raised concerns among observers who fear that such military actions could jeopardize the fragile truce that was brokered by the United States and France.
The ceasefire, which took effect earlier this week, aimed to halt over 14 months of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement requires Hezbollah to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River while Israeli troops are expected to gradually pull back from southern Lebanon. However, both sides have accused each other of breaching the terms of the ceasefire almost immediately after it was implemented.
Israeli officials assert that they will actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement and have warned civilians against returning to areas near the border where military operations are ongoing. The situation remains tense, with reports indicating that since October 2023, Israeli operations in Lebanon have resulted in at least 3,961 fatalities and over 16,500 injuries.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences for civilians on both sides. In Lebanon alone, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced due to the fighting. The humanitarian situation is dire as families struggle with loss and displacement amidst continuous violence.
