Israel and Hezbollah exchange accusations even after a ceasefire, exposing weaknesses in the agreement

On November 28, Israeli forces blockaded three towns on the border with Israel in southeastern Lebanon with tanks, according to Lebanese security sources and state media. Photo on the same day in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon (2024, Reuters / Adnan Abidi)

[ベイルート ２８日 ロイター] – Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement.

A cease-fire agreement​​​​between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which prohibits “offensive military operations”, came into effect the day before. The exchange of accusations highlighted the fragility of the ceasefire agreement. which was settled by the United States and France.

Israel carried out airstrikes on the 28th after the ceasefire agreement. Lebanese security sources and local media reports said the airstrike took place near Beisaliya, north of the Litani River.

The Israeli military said in a statement that they had identified several suspicious activities that violated and threatened the terms of the ceasefire agreement. “Any deviation from the agreement will be severely punished,” Chief of Staff Halevi said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 14 that he has instructed the army to prepare for heavy fighting if the ceasefire agreement is broken.

Earlier, Israeli forces blockaded six areas in southern Lebanon with tanks, Lebanese security sources and state media said. On the same day, the “suspect” entered several areas in the south with a car and other vehicles, he said. He claims that Hezbollah broke the ceasefire agreement.

At the same time, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah pointed out that Israel was resisting. “Israel’s enemies are attacking people who are returning to border towns. This kind of violation by Israel continues today.”

Among the areas attacked by Israeli tanks are Markaba, Wazani, Kfarchoba, Qiyam, and Taybeh, which are within 2 kilometers of the border, as well as the agricultural area around Marjayoun. Two people were injured in Markaba, security sources said.

Even after the cease-fire​​​​came into effect, Israeli forces remained stationed in towns along the Lebanese border, and on the morning of the 28th they instructed residents of towns along the border not to still returning home for safety reasons.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces will have up to 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced that he has instructed the army not to allow residents to return to villages near the border.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Berri said on the 27th that residents were able to return.

Hezbollah has said it will watch the Israeli military pull out of Lebanon “with its hand on the trigger”.

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