The long-awaited ceasefire seems precarious following several violations as displaced people from the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continue to return to their homes in south Lebanon, the Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Breaches of the Ceasefire
Recent events show that the situation remains tense. The Israeli army bombed a Hezbollah ammunition depot, an action that potentially violates the agreement but is seen by the Jewish state as a legitimate response to a persistent threat. Shots were also exchanged against vehicles. On the third day of the ceasefire's entry into force, the south of the country continues to be in the grip of Israeli strikes.
The Kfar Kila stadium was shelled, machine-gun fire was observed in Aitaroun and citizens were targeted in Khiam, where they were attending a funeral ceremony. In the same locality, the Israeli army occasionally carried out machine-gun sweeps.
In Tyre and Bint Jbeil, an atmosphere of caution prevailed, especially as the inhabitants of the villages adjacent to the border between Lebanon and Israel were warned not to return to their homes. On Friday morning, a new warning from the Israeli army's Arabic-speaking spokesman was added to the previous ones. Avichay Adraee warned the inhabitants of 63 villages not to return to their homes.
A curfew has also been imposed on all residents of the southern Litani, under which all traffic is prohibited between 5 PM and 7 AM.
On Thursday, the Israeli army announced that it had targeted two Hezbollah members operating at a training site in southern Lebanon, citing a violation of the agreement reached. The site in question had been used in recent weeks by Hezbollah fighters to carry out attacks against the Jewish state. This was at least reported by the Israeli army, which stated in a press release that it was “deployed in southern Lebanon, continuing its operations to protect Israel and its citizens.”
Israel Sums up Its Activities in Lebanon
The Israeli military published on Friday morning a summary of its activities against the Lebanon-based terror group over the past 14 months of war. According to army data, Israeli forces struck over 12,500 Hezbollah targets, including 1,600 command centers and 1,000 weapons depots since the pro-Iranian group began its attacks on Israel on October 8, 2023.
The military said that 14 DF brigade-level task forces participated in the ground offensive launched in September, and separately, over 100 special operations were carried out.
The Israeli army added that it had confirmed with high confidence the deaths of 2,500 Hezbollah operatives, though it estimated that number to be closer to 3,500.
The report also added that the army had captured some 12,000 explosive devices and drones during the conflict, 13,000 rockets, launchers, and anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems, and 121,000 pieces of communications equipment and computers.
https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/articles/1302445/day-3-a-fragile-and-breached-ceasefire