Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon amid reported cease-fire violations

By Abdulsalam Fayez

BEIRUT (AA) - Israeli warplanes launched on Monday evening a series of airstrikes on towns in southern Lebanon, continuing their aerial operations despite the ongoing cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanon's state news agency reported that Israeli aircraft targeted the towns of Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, and Hanine in the Bint Jbeil region, as well as the town of Sriri in the Jezzine district. Also, Israeli reconnaissance drones flew over the city of Tyre and its surroundings.

The agency added that Israeli soldiers stationed in Maroun al-Ras opened heavy fire on the nearby city of Bint Jbeil and the towns of Aainata and Aitaroun.

Last Wednesday, a cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Israel took effect, meant to end over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

However, Israel has violated the cease-fire multiple times, conducting attacks in Lebanese territory that have resulted in casualties.

In response, Hezbollah targeted the Israeli site of Rweisat al-Alam in the Kfar Shuba hills Hills, calling it a “preliminary defensive warning” against Israel's continued violations of the cease-fire agreement.

The situation has prompted Israeli ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to demand a “strong" response to Hezbollah, signaling that “the era of containment is over.”

Under the terms of the cease-fire, Israel is to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line de facto border in a phased manner while the Lebanese army deploys its forces in southern Lebanon within a maximum of 60 days.

Implementation of the agreement is to be overseen by the US and France, but details on enforcement mechanisms remain unclear.

Nearly 4,000 people have been killed and more than 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio