The latest reports of the official Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) on Tuesday reveal that the Israeli army has breached the one-month-old ceasefire in Lebanon by no less than twelve violations. The term ceasefire this time is more fragile than the previous ones agreed upon between both parties to end more than a year of fighting along the border of Hezbollah. Yet, with the reported incidences, peace beginning to take shape in the region has come under serious threat.
The violations had taken place mainly in the southern districts of Tyre, Marjayoun and Hasbaiyya, as well as Rachaiya and the western Bekaa in eastern Lebanon. They involved a number of aggressive actions, including air strikes, drone and fighter aircraft operations, destructive shelling, and artillery shooting. These hellish acts clearly bore out the truth that uneasy calmness continues to reign even under a ceasefire. Of all these, the most alarming was an Israeli drone strike in the Tyre district.
Took a target vehicle in Majdalzoun; a strike on it caused the injury of three people. This is the more shocking, particularly concerning the more general operations reported in this area. Naqoura, where the Israeli army bulldoze roads and destroy civilian homes, also brings more people displaced and creates tensions. Kfarkela is also witnessing the chain of demolition- some houses razed in that town adding such to the increasing humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon. These violations have their effects beyond land operations. The artillery pounded the towns of Kfarshouba, Halta, and Sheba in Hasbaiyya, whilst Israeli warplanes flew over Rachaiya and Western Bekaa. Aerial demonstration reminds the precariousness of situation from which these districts residents are facing, however, both countries step closer to renewed conflict.
Lebanese authorities have been unpleasantly vocal on the frequency and intensity of these violations. With the entry into force of the ceasefire on November 27, Government sources indicate there have been around 248 breaches. Such continuing flouts of the truce terms challenge its integrity, but as well, this raises the question of whether Israel is willing to make peace.Although there are numerous violations, the situation remains complex because of the underlying tensions. Moreover, the continued hostilities have resulted in the loss of at least 30 lives, with 37 more individuals suffering injuries, as per a tally based on data from the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is obligated to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line, which serves as a de facto boundary between the two states. Although this phased withdrawal was intended to help ease the transition to peace, the Lebanese army was to enter the southern areas within 60 days. The relative indifference on this score not only poses challenges to diplomacy but also the tendency carries with it the potential of deepening the conflict.
One can hardly but agree that this long affair has taken a huge toll in lives lost. Lebanese health authorities estimated that over 4,000 have died as a result of Israeli attacks in Lebanon after October 2023, over 16,500 have been injured, and over one million people displaced. These statistics more vigorously depict the suffering situation of the affected regions, which can instigate towards a searching for a much-needed long term solution.
Such spoils’ continuing occurrence in Lebanon shows that a real process of achieving peace is still ahead following the ceasefire. During this kind of phase, the international community continually monitors the two countries to refrain from any provocation which may lead to violation of ceasefire agreement so as to avoid further loss of human lives. To achieve sustainable peace in this volatile area many challenges lie ahead; however, the key to rebuilding can only come through negotiation and diplomacy.
