Israel launched fresh airstrikes and aerial attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday as part of a faltering ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The operation also led to the demise of the “terrorist cell” in the Bekaa, thus leading to the emergence of a new frontier of anxieties regarding the stability of the ceasefire.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the U.S., France has become entrapped in a cycle of repeated failures. While large-scale conflict has subsided, intermittent hostilities persist. Hezbollah has been attacked by Israel through air strikes. However, each side is accusing the other of a gross breach of the ceasefire.
Allegations of Ceasefire Breaches Between Israel and Hezbollah
Lebanese parliament president Nabih Berri (who has negotiated ceasefire arrangements) has announced over 50 Israeli ceasefire arrangements from 27th November. Despite these claims, Israel maintains its actions are defensive. Defense Minister of Israel (Israel Katz) also warned that the end of the ceasefire with Hezbollah would bring about “severe retaliation and change to Israel’s relations with Lebanon.
[But] if the ceasefire collapses we will be taking that a lot more seriously, and in that light Lebanon and Hezbollah, “Katz declared. This could also suggest a shift in Israeli policy of dissociating Hezbollah from the Lebanese state.
Broader Implications
The ceasefire accord to the party of Hezbollah requires both parties to withdraw to opposite areas of expertise. Israel is constitutionally obliged to go south of the Blue Line (Israel-Lebanon). On the flip side, Hezbollah is constitutionally committed to going north of Litani (HR). Intervention in southern Lebanon, in turn, would be a military domain of the Lebanese Military.
Yet Katz expressed disapproval, too, of Lebanon’s failure to take measures against Hezbollah’s activities. He pointed out that, should the present ceasefire collapse, Israeli bombing will take place not only in the southern part of the city that is under Hezbollah control but the whole of Beirut city itself.
Nevertheless, at the moment the situation is tenuous and to that end, additional reports of the Israeli air attacks unleashed against the city of Damascus, Syria, in the vicinity of Damascus airport perimeter, found their way as an additional factor to feed the regional instability.
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