ALBAWABA - In Beirut, Lebanon Israeli airstrikes killed two people and injured a Lebanese soldier on Monday, escalating tensions along the southern Lebanese border. The occurrences show that the ceasefire agreement that ended a year of Israeli-Hezbollah warfare is fraying.
An Israeli drone hit a military bulldozer fortifying the Abbari military center in Hermel, injuring one Lebanese soldier moderately. The truce-breaking attack occurred in Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali.
Later, Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported one death in an airstrike in Marjayoun near Israel. One member of the Lebanese General Directorate of State Security was killed by an Israeli drone strike in Nabatiyeh, 12 kilometers from the border.
Israeli military said aircraft targeted Hezbollah's missile manufacturing sites in the Bekaa Valley and arms smuggling infrastructure along the Syrian-Lebanese border. The Israeli army claimed these sites threatened Israel and broke the truce.
The Israeli military confirmed a Lebanese soldier's injuries and began an investigation.
Israel's Kan said that U.S. ambassador Amos Hochstein, who negotiated the ceasefire, warned Israel about probable violations and their impact on the fragile truce.
On November 27, the U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended hostilities that began in October 2023 when Hezbollah formed a “support front” for Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war. The deal forbids Israel from attacking Lebanese targets and requires Lebanon to stop Hezbollah from attacking Israel.
Both sides have accused each other of wrongdoing. Lebanese authorities reported deaths and property damage from Israeli artillery and drone strikes on border towns.
Israeli airstrikes have increased recently. In Majdal Zoun on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike injured three civilians, including a child. Israeli forces claimed to have attacked armed militants near a church and found a weapons-laden tunnel in southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu cautioned that Israel has "full freedom to act militarily" if Hezbollah breaks the pact. Meanwhile, Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun discussed ceasefire monitoring and implementation with U.S. General Jasper Jeffers. Jeffers' visit is part of U.S. stabilization efforts.
