Israel Launches Airstrikes in Lebanon Despite Ceasefire
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a recent escalation, Israel has conducted airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting areas in violation of an existing ceasefire with Hezbollah. The situation remains tense as civilian casualties increase amid ongoing military actions.
Key Takeaways
- Israel conducted airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon.
- Ceasefire with Hezbollah was established on November 27, 2024.
- Israeli military claims strikes target threats from Hezbollah.
- Casualties reported include 26 dead and over 200 injured.
- US confirmed extension of ceasefire deadline to February 18.
Beirut, Feb 7 (NationPress) Israel has executed a series of air assaults, focusing on various regions in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to media sources.
Israeli military aircraft initiated multiple strikes on the elevations of the eastern Mountain Range and an area within the Baalbek district, as reported by the National News Agency (NNA). Additionally, Israel targeted locations in southern Lebanon around 10:35 p.m. local time on Thursday.
Before these airstrikes, Israeli planes were observed performing low-altitude flights above the town of Rashaya and the western Bekaa region, while higher-altitude flights occurred over the city of Hermel and northern Bekaa in eastern Lebanon, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Israeli jets were also spotted over Beirut and its surrounding areas, the report indicated.
These incidents transpired despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement between the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the Israeli armed forces, which commenced on November 27, 2024, intended to conclude over a year of cross-border conflicts instigated by the hostilities in Gaza.
The agreement mandated that Israel withdraw from Lebanese territory within a 60-day timeframe, while the Lebanese military would be stationed along the Lebanese-Israeli border and in the southern region, ensuring that no weapons or militants would remain south of the Litani River.
Nevertheless, Lebanon's caretaker government announced on January 27 that it had consented to prolong the ceasefire until February 18, following the expiration of the initial 60-day period without an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Despite the truce, the Israeli military has persisted in executing sporadic strikes in Lebanon, asserting that these actions are aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from Hezbollah.
Tensions have heightened as the Israeli army continued its presence in Lebanese territory following the January 26 deadline for withdrawal stipulated by the ceasefire agreement.
However, the US has stated that both Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend the deadline until February 18.
Local health authorities report that at least 26 individuals have died and 221 have been injured due to Israeli gunfire since January 26, as residents attempt to return to their communities in southern Lebanon.
The precarious ceasefire has been active since November 27, bringing an end to a phase of mutual shelling between Israel and the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, which ignited on October 8, 2023, escalating into a full-scale conflict on September 23 of the previous year.
According to data from the Lebanese Health Ministry, since the onset of Israel's military actions against Lebanon in 2023, at least 4,080 individuals have lost their lives, including women, children, and healthcare workers, while 16,753 have sustained injuries.
