Lebanon says two killed in Israeli strikes despite truce

Lebanon says two killed in Israeli strikes despite truce

BEIRUT: At least two people were killed on Monday in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, Lebanese authorities said, as a ceasefire ending more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah appeared increasingly fragile.

The truce, which came into effect early on Nov. 27, stipulates that Israel will not carry out offensive military operations against civilian, military or other state targets in Lebanon, while Lebanon will prevent any armed groups, including Hezbollah, from carrying out operations against Israel.

Lebanon and Israel have already traded accusations of breaches, and on Monday Lebanon said the violations had turned deadly.

One person was killed in an Israeli air attack on the southern Lebanese town of Marjayoun, about 10 km (six miles) from the border with Israel, Lebanon’s health ministry said.

READ ALSO:

• FG begins malaria vaccination for children today
• P’Harcourt Refining Company blames tanker drivers for product loading delay
• Minimum wage: States move to avert NLC strike

Lebanon’s state security said an Israeli drone strike had killed a member of its force while he was on duty in Nabatieh, 12 km from the border. State security called it a “flagrant violation” of the truce.

 

The Israeli military said it had attacked military vehicles operating in the vicinity of military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Bekaa. Troops also attacked military vehicles used to transfer weapons near the border between Syria and Lebanon in Hermel, the Israeli military said in a statement, acknowledging that a Lebanese soldier was injured in one of its strikes.

 

As part of the terms of the ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers will deploy in southern Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws over a period of 60 days.

Hezbollah is also meant to withdraw its forces north of the Litani river, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and dismantle its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Israel stepped up its campaign in south Lebanon in late September after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah in support of its ally Hamas following the Palestinian group’s October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel.

Lebanon says two killed in Israeli strikes despite truce

 

ARAB NEWS