On Sunday, Israel conducted a third airstrike on south Beirut since a November ceasefire, prompting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to appeal to France and the US for intervention. The strikes aimed at Hezbollah could jeopardize the fragile peace, and international observers express deep concerns over renewed violence.
Israel launched an airstrike on south Beirut this past Sunday, marking the third such attack since the fragile ceasefire on November 27. The Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun, has since reached out to the ceasefire’s guarantors, France and the United States, urging them to intervene and halt ongoing hostilities. This call comes amid rising tensions and repeated Israeli actions in Lebanon.
Israeli officials argue that the targeted strike was aimed at a building affiliated with Hezbollah, which they allege was storing “precision-guided missiles.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office emphasized that Israel will not allow the militant group to use Beirut’s southern suburbs as a sanctuary. Images from the local media showed smoke billowing from the building in the Hadath area following the strike last night.
Prior to the attack, the Israeli military had warned residents to evacuate from the densely populated neighborhoods, particularly in Hadath. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee highlighted the importance of avoiding areas marked on a provided map, identifying them as near Hezbollah facilities, urging immediate evacuation. “You must evacuate,” he stated on social media.
Netanyahu’s administration insisted on its stance, affirming that no such operations would be allowed to strengthen Hezbollah’s position. They promised forthcoming action to prevent any threats emerging from the Dahiyeh neighborhood, which is another term used for southern Beirut.
In strong response, President Aoun condemned the strikes as violations of the ceasefire and pressed for action from international guarantors. He called on the United States and France to enforce compliance with the agreement, emphasizing their responsibility to stop these attacks immediately.
Meanwhile, the United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed concern about the situation and its implications for peace. She noted that this recent violence has heightened fears of further unrest. “Today’s strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut generated panic and fear of renewed violence among those desperate for a return to normalcy,” she stated in a statement.
Additionally, the Israeli operation was not limited to just Beirut on Sunday. A separate drone strike in the border town of Halta reportedly resulted in the death of one individual, whose death was contested by the Israeli military, which claimed it targeted a Hezbollah militant.
Despite the recent ceasefire aimed at reconciling over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, attacks have persistently continued. The initial agreements required Hezbollah to move its fighters north of the Litani River and eliminate military infrastructure south of the river, while Israel was to withdraw its military forces. However, Israeli troops remain in five strategic locations, maintaining a presence in southern Lebanon.
The recent strike by Israel deepens concerns over the fragility of a ceasefire that had only recently been established. With President Aoun’s calls for intervention from international guarantors, it is clear that tensions continue to mount. The situation remains precarious, and the ongoing military actions highlight the complexities of peace in the region. The future of the ceasefire remains uncertain as both sides engage in aggressive posturing.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
