UNITED NATIONS, Dec 4 (IPS) – On November 27, Israel, Lebanon and a number of mediators agreed to a cease-fire agreement that permanently halts fighting between the two sides. As of December 3, there have been no reports of Hezbollah directing attacks against Israel that resulted in casualties. Nonetheless, numerous violations committed by Israel have been reported, causing extensive damage to civilian life and local infrastructure. Many parties have warned that the international community must hold Israel accountable for these violations.
The cease-fire agreement requires Israel and Hezbollah to withdraw their troops from each other’s territory and report any violations of the peace to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Committee of Intermediaries. Israel has been given 60 days to withdraw its entire army from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah must withdraw its forces north of the Litani River.
According to a report released by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on December 1, 578,641 internally displaced people have begun returning to their homes in Lebanon. Additionally, additional airstrikes and military restrictions imposed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are said to have left many people unable to return to their communities.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported in a December 2 press release that Israel had violated the terms of the agreement at least 18 times in southern Lebanon alone. As of December 1, there were 62 reported violations committed by Israel targeting civilians and infrastructure in Lebanon. Lebanese civilians have been reported killed as the IDF opened fire on them and directed drone strikes. The IDF also further restricted movement south of the Litani River.
December 2 marked the deadliest day of hostilities in Lebanon since the ceasefire went into effect. It began with Hezbollah firing two projectiles at Israel last week in response to a series of violations committed by Israel. The attack, described as a “defensive warning strike”, landed in an open area and caused no injuries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed plans to retaliate against Hezbollah in a statement posted on “Be it trivial or serious.”
Military Minister Israel Katz urged Lebanon to maintain the terms of the ceasefire. “If the ceasefire collapses, there will be no more immunity for the Lebanese state. We will enforce our agreements with maximum impact and zero tolerance. If until now we distinguished between Lebanon and Hezbollah, that will no longer be the case,” Katz said. He did not address the numerous violations reported by Israel.
The IDF launched a series of attacks on Taloussa and Haris, two southern Lebanese cities, killing at least 11 civilians and causing significant damage to local infrastructure.
at name According to a report published in . The State of Israel will continue to defend itself while adhering to the terms set forth in the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denied Israel had violated the reported agreement, adding that Israel “will not accept a return to the status quo.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reportedly said in a phone call with President Saar that “it is urgent for all sides to respect the ceasefire in Lebanon.”
Nevertheless, the Biden administration expressed concern that the “fragile” ceasefire agreement could be broken by continued violations of the agreement. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that US special envoy Amos Hochstein warned of Israel’s ongoing violations.
An Israeli official told the news publication that Hochstein believes Israel is enforcing the ceasefire “too aggressively.” Hochstein also reportedly expressed uncertainty about whether the ceasefire would continue, saying the situation would depend on how Hezbollah responds to recent attacks.
US officials confirmed they were confident the cease-fire agreement would remain intact despite sporadic airstrikes on both sides of the border.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters: “Obviously, when there is a ceasefire, you see violations. Broadly speaking, our assessment is that the ceasefire is holding despite some of these incidents that we are seeing.” White House spokesman John Kirby added, “Violence has decreased dramatically.” The monitoring mechanism is in full operation.”
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