In yet another disturbing occurrence, the Israeli army reportedly made 12 more violations of the cease-fire agreement with Lebanon on Wednesday, Lebanon’s National News Agency, NNA, said. These incidents are taking place in both diverse parts of south Lebanon and even Beirut, raising a lot of question marks as to this fragile truce that took into effect barely a week ago.
These include the destruction of houses, heavy artillery shelling, and the passage of Israeli warplanes at low altitude over Lebanese lands, events documented by the districts of Tyre, Marjayoun, and Bent Jbeil. The NNA also reported gunfire and incursions into some areas.
A more serious incident, however, reportedly occurred in the town of Majdalzoun in Tyre district, with reports stating that an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle. On its part, Israeli artillery pounded the Marjayoun Plain three times over the past day.
In Bent Jbeil, residents said Israeli forces opened fire toward neighborhoods, while in Khiyam homes were destroyed in what locals described as a premeditated attack. There were also reports of artillery shelling in Kfarkela.
Adding to the tension, Israeli warplanes were spotted flying at low altitudes not just over southern Lebanon but even over the capital city of Beirut, according to an Anadolu reporter.
Since the cease-fire took effect last week, Lebanon has recorded a staggering 129 violations by Israel. The truce, which aims to end 14 months of conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, is already looking fragile.
According to an Anadolu tally based on figures from Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least 14 people have been killed and 13 others injured in Israeli attacks since the truce began.
The cease-fire deal includes a phased Israeli withdrawal south of the Blue Line, a de facto border between the two countries. At the same time, the Lebanese army is supposed to deploy its forces in southern Lebanon within 60 days. The accord, which is presided over by the USA and France, has raised many eyebrows with regards to the possibility of further transgressions occurring without being addressed in the absence of effective enforcement mechanisms.
The human toll of this conflict has been horrendous, killing more than 4,000 people in Lebanon since October 2023 due to Israeli attacks, over 16,500 injured, and more than a million people displaced, reports the Lebanese health authorities.
The cease-fire, for instance, was a flicker of hope for many Lebanese after months of intense hostilities. But violations piled up in the following days, and soon enough, hope turned to frustration and fear.
However, whether the cease-fire holds or breaks in the coming weeks is yet to be seen. For now, it is a matter of patience for the people of Lebanon, who are already wondering just how much longer they would have to endure this.
