A week after the ceasefire decision in Lebanon, Israeli violations continued throughout monday, and the violations extended deep into Lebanon, and the Israeli army once again warned southern citizens against moving south of the Litani River or returning to the villages of the front border.
An Israeli march also raided with 3 missiles a Lebanese army center in the town of Housh al-Sayyid Ali in the Hermel district in the Bekaa. to the south, a night raid on the town of Talusah resulted in deaths and two injuries. Israeli aircraft also launched a raid on the town of Yater, as well as on Haris and the area of Jabal al-rayhan and Sajjad. Al-qatrani, Jbaa, Jabshit, and the area between Ain Qana and Kfarfila, and between Louaize, Jabal Safi, and Malikh.
The Lebanese Ministry of health announced that “six people were killed as an inevitable result of the Israeli bombing yesterday on the town of Haris in southern Lebanon.”
The Lebanese National News Agency quoted the Ministry’s Public Health Emergency Operations center as saying: “An updated toll of victims of the Israeli enemy raid on the town of Haris in the Bint Jbeil district of Nabatieh Governorate indicates six martyrs in addition to two wounded.”
In addition, Israeli warplanes targeted, with a hostile march, the town of Beit Lev in Tire Governorate this morning.
The Israeli enemy launched a raid on the area between Sajad and Malikh in the Iqlim al-Tuffah area in nabatieh, southern Lebanon.
The enemy violated the ceasefire agreement in the districts of Tire and Bint Jbeil, and its warplanes launched a series of attacks on a number of villages and towns in the two districts, and returned before dawn to launch flares and thermal balloons over Aita al-Shaab.
According to a military source, the Israeli violations amounted to more than 75 violations as of Monday afternoon, and they are not limited to border villages, but rather target towns deep in Lebanon, with accompanying bombing that targeted members of the Lebanese Army and State Security.
The Israeli Defense Minister sends a warning to the Lebanese state
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned that “if we return to fighting again against Hezbollah, the state of Lebanon will not be exempt from these strikes.”
During an inspection tour on the northern border after the Israeli army attacks in Lebanon and Hezbollah responded by targeting an Israeli army position in the Lebanese Kfar Shuba hills, Katz said: “We will move with all our might to implement all the understandings of the ceasefire agreement, and we will have the maximum response.” And zero tolerance.”
He warned, “If we return to war and fighting again, we will strike hard, and we will go deeper,” adding: “The most important thing they should know is that ther will be no more exemptions for the state of Lebanon.”
In turn, the administration of US President joe Biden, on Monday, expressed its concern about the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, describing it as fragile, after the escalation of tension between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, during the days that followed the agreement’s entry into force, according to what he said. American officials told Axios.
The website reported that the administration expressed its concern to Israeli officials,and quoted an unnamed American official as saying: “The Israelis are playing a dangerous game in recent days.”
But White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday that “the intermittent strikes launched in recent days were expected.”
He added: “We have witnessed a significant decrease in violence, but the monitoring mechanism is working at full strength… in general, the ceasefire is still holding.”
US officials told the website that President Biden’s advisor Amos Hochstein, who brokered the ceasefire, spoke to Israeli officials over the weekend and expressed concern about the ongoing strikes in Lebanon.
The officials added that Hockstein told the Israelis that they must make room for the ceasefire monitoring mechanism to begin operating.
An Israeli official explained that Biden’s envoy to lebanon conveyed to them a message that Tel Aviv was implementing the ceasefire “in a very aggressive manner.”
Over the past few days, Israeli forces carried out several air strikes against Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon, and on Sunday, Israeli marches flew over Beirut for the first time since the ceasefire was announced.
The israelis said that the strikes targeted areas where Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by transferring weapons,noting that Tel Aviv had previously informed the United States of some of these strikes.
On the other hand, Hezbollah responded by firing, on Monday, two mortar shells towards the positions of Israeli forces on the border with Lebanon, to which Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz responded, saying, “Israel is committed to taking action against any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah.” The attack will be responded to harshly.”
Israeli officials told the site that Tel Aviv would carry out a broader attack.
The US Central Command, Centcom, announced in a statement the arrival of US General Jasper Jeffers to the Lebanese capital last week, to assume the co-chairmanship of the ceasefire implementation and monitoring mechanism, which also includes French military officers and representatives of the Lebanese Armed forces, the israeli army and the United Nations Interim Force in… Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Monday, in Washington, DC.
It is noteworthy that “the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah entered into force on November 27, 2024, months after a major military escalation.The agreement was reached with American and French mediation and aims to calm the situation in southern Lebanon and Israel for an initial period of 60 days.”
Last updated: December 3, 2024 – 14:22
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How can international mediation help de-escalate tensions between Israel and Lebanon?
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have an urgent topic to discuss regarding the recent ceasefire violations in Lebanon and the escalating tensions. Joining us is Dr. Samira Abadi,a renowned expert in Middle Eastern conflict resolution and international relations. Dr. Abadi, thank you for being here.
Dr. Samira Abadi (DSA): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these pressing issues.
TNE: just a week after the ceasefire was announced, we’re witnessing a series of Israeli military actions in Lebanon. Can you provide some context on how we got to this point?
DSA: Certainly. The ceasefire was intended as a respite for both sides following a period of intense conflict. However, the situation in the region is extremely volatile, and violations often stem from underlying grievances, military provocations, and political pressures. The recent actions,such as the Israeli army’s raids involving drone strikes and missile attacks deep into Lebanese territory,reflect a severe lack of trust and breakdown of dialog.
TNE: The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported six casualties due to these violations. How do civilian casualties impact the broader dynamics of conflict in the region?
DSA: Civilian casualties are devastating not only for the families affected but also substantially alter public sentiment towards both the Lebanese state and Israel. Such incidents can fuel anger and resentment, prompting retaliatory actions—often leading to a vicious cycle of violence.This is especially critical given that Hezbollah and other factions might respond militarily to defend their territory, intensifying the conflict.
TNE: Israel’s defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued strong warnings about future military responses. What implications does this have for the potential for renewed fighting?
DSA: Katz’s statements indicate a hardline stance. If Israel feels threatened or provoked, it’s likely they will respond militarily, and his comments about not exempting the Lebanese state suggest an escalation of their strategic approach. This adds pressure on the Lebanese government and its military entities to respond, which can lead to an escalation into full-blown conflict.
TNE: The United states has expressed concern regarding the ceasefire’s stability. How do external powers like the US influence the situation?
DSA: The involvement of external powers,especially the US,is crucial. As a important ally to Israel and a historical partner to Lebanon, the US has the ability to mediate discussions and apply pressure to both parties for restraint. However, its influence is also a double-edged sword—while it can provide support for stability, it may also entrench existing hostilities at times when it chooses to back military responses instead of diplomatic solutions.
TNE: Moving forward,what steps do you think need to be taken to de-escalate the situation?
DSA: immediate actions must include a reinstatement of dialogues between the involved parties,possibly through third-party mediators. Both Israel and Lebanon must respect ceasefire agreements to build trust. Moreover, addressing the root political grievances that fuel these conflicts is essential for long-term peace, including socio-economic support for affected communities both in Israel and Lebanon.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Abadi, for your insightful analysis on this critical issue. your expertise is invaluable as we navigate this complex situation.
DSA: thank you for having me. It’s important that we continue to raise awareness and encourage dialogue to achieve lasting peace in the region.