Key Takeaways:
– Israel conducted its largest wave of airstrikes across Lebanon since the 60-day ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
– The strikes followed Hezbollah’s firing of projectiles, with warnings of Israeli truce violations.
– At least 11 people were killed in the strikes on Monday.
– Lebanese parliament speaker accuses Israel of breaching the truce over 50 times.
– Despite the ceasefire, the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues, with over 44,000 casualties reported.
Intensifying Strikes Put Ceasefire to the Test
In an escalating rift that threatens a fragile ceasefire, Israel unleashed its most significant wave of airstrikes in Lebanon since the agreement. This move came after Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah launched a series of projectiles as a warning about Israel’s alleged truce violations. These projectiles marked the first hostility from Hezbollah towards Israeli forces following the 60-day ceasefire enforced last Wednesday.
Tensions Flare Amidst Warnings of Potential Collapse
The mounting tensions are a stark signal of the ceasefire’s precarious nature. Israeli Defense Minister, Israeli Katz, underscored this instability in an interview aired on the country’s Army Radio network. Katz warned of severe consequences if the ceasefire collapses, highlighting that a distinction between Hezbollah and the state of Lebanon may no longer exist.
Airstrikes and Rocket Attacks mark Ceasefire Challenges
In response to Hezbollah’s attacks, Israel enfaced a series of late-night airstrikes targeting what it claims are Hezbollah militants, infrastructure, and rocket launchers sprawled across Lebanon. Among the critical spots hit by these airstrikes were the southern village of Haris and the village of Tallousa, with a troubling death toll and people left injured.
Both Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Accusations
Hezbollah responded to the attacks with a statement accusing Israel of “repeated violations” of the peace settlement. They assert that the complaints to mediators in charge of overseeing the ceasefire have proven inadequate to prevent these contraventions. On the other side, Israeli forces counter with claims that these strikes are in retaliation to unspecified Hezbollah transgressions.
Calls for De-escalation Amid Continued Airstrikes
Concerns regarding the burgeoning conflict rise, with the Lebanese parliament speaker accusing Israel of more than 50 ceasefire violations. However, U.S officials, who played a significant role in brokering the peace deal, downplayed the significance of these strikes. They remain optimistic about the ceasefire’s durability, despite the ongoing strife.
The Undying Conflict in Gaza
Unfortunately, this ceasefire did not silence the ongoing strife in Gaza. Israel’s offensive against Hamas continues to wreak havoc, with an astonishing 44,000 people dead according to health officials in the Palestinian region. Warnings of hunger increase as Israel controls all food entering the territory, leaving the people of Gaza in a dire state.
While the ceasefire agreement stipulated a withdrawal of Iranian-backed Hezbollah fighters from southern Lebanon, Israeli officials insisted on resuming military activities until Hamas is thoroughly dismantled and all hostages are returned, adding another layer of complexity to an already convoluted situation.
Conclusion
As Israel unravels its most vehement wave of airstrikes since the ceasefire, resulting in numerous casualties, the ceasefire’s stability becomes increasingly questioned. With accusations flying, mutual adherence to the peace deal may be the only evasion of a full-blown war. However, with the ongoing issues in Gaza, the path to this agreement remains ambiguous.