Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Takes Effect, But Tensions Remain
The Israeli military said its warplanes fired on southern Lebanon after detecting Hezbollah activity at a rocket storage facility, the first Israeli airstrike a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold.
There was no immediate word on casualties from Israel’s aerial attack, which came hours after the Israeli military said it fired on people trying to return to certain areas in southern Lebanon. Israel said they were violating the ceasefire agreement, without providing details. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said two people were wounded.
The back-to-back incidents stirred unease about the agreement, brokered by the United States and France, which includes an initial two-month ceasefire in which Hezbollah militants are to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border. The buffer zone would be patrolled by Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers.
On Thursday, the second day of a ceasefire after more than a year of bloody conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon’s state news agency reported that Israeli fire targeted civilians in Markaba, close to the border, without providing further details. Israel said it fired artillery in three other locations near the border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
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Video: "Israel-Lebanon ceasefire takes effect"
An Associated Press reporter in northern Israel near the border heard Israeli drones buzzing overhead and the sound of artillery strikes from the Lebanese side.
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Israeli Military Statement
The Israeli military said in a statement that "several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to a number of areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire." It said troops "opened fire toward them" and would "actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement."
Israeli Officials
Israeli officials have said forces will be withdrawn gradually as it ensures that the agreement is being enforced. Israel has warned people not to return to areas where troops are deployed, and says it reserves the right to strike Hezbollah if it violates the terms of the truce.
Lebanese Military Official
A Lebanese military official said Lebanese troops would gradually deploy in the south as Israeli troops withdraw. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.
Ceasefire Agreement
The ceasefire agreement announced late Tuesday ended 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that began a day after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets, drones, and missiles in solidarity.
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Lebanon Ceasefire: What’s Needed to Keep Peace
Israel retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict steadily intensified for nearly a year before boiling over into all-out war in mid-September. The conflict in Gaza is still raging with no end in sight.
Casualties
More than 3,760 people were killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon during the conflict, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The fighting killed more than 70 people in Israel — over half of them civilians — as well as dozens of Israeli soldiers fighting in southern Lebanon.
Displacement
Some 1.2 million people were displaced in Lebanon, and thousands began streaming back to their homes on Wednesday despite warnings from the Lebanese military and the Israeli army to stay out of certain areas. Some 50,000 people were displaced on the Israeli side, but few have returned and the communities near the northern border are still largely deserted.
Conclusion
The ceasefire agreement is a crucial step towards ending the conflict, but its success depends on the implementation of the agreement by both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the purpose of the ceasefire agreement?
A: The ceasefire agreement aims to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. - Q: What are the terms of the ceasefire agreement?
A: The agreement includes a two-month ceasefire in which Hezbollah militants are to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border. - Q: What is the current situation in Gaza?
A: The conflict in Gaza is still raging with no end in sight. - Q: What are the casualties in the conflict?
A: More than 3,760 people were killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon, and over 70 people were killed in Israel.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
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