La truce in Lebanon, already weakened. At least nine people were killed this Monday, December 2, in Israeli bombings on two towns in southern Lebanon, Taloussa and Haris, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced, according to comments reported by Reuters. Three other people were injured in these strikes. Another person was killed Monday in Marjayoun, about 10 km from the border with Israel, the minister said.
The Israeli army says it has struck dozens of targets linked to Hezbollah across Lebanon, in retaliation for an attack claimed for the first time since the ceasefire came into force. Hezbollah said for its part it had carried out a “defensive warning strike” against an IDF position in the disputed area of the Chebaa farms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and announced a “powerful” response.
“The ceasefire holds”
Hezbollah presented these rocket attacks, the first actions it claimed since the truce came into force, as retaliation for multiple violations of the agreement by Israel. The President of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah and who negotiated the truce on its behalf, affirmed that Israel had violated the ceasefire “at least 54 times”.
Israel's foreign minister has rejected any accusation of ceasefire violations. “On the contrary, Israel enforces it” in response “to Hezbollah’s violations which call for immediate action,” said Gideon Saar. “Israel is committed to the successful implementation of the ceasefire, but we will not accept a return to the situation as it was” before the start of the conflict, he said.
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These exchanges are already weakening the ceasefire that entered into force last Wednesday between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite movement, after mediation by the United States and France, each party accusing the other of repeated violations of the truce. “The ceasefire holds,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller nevertheless declared, according to Agence France-Presse. He also pledged to “investigate and respond to reports of violations” of the truce agreement, “via a mechanism with France, Israel and Lebanon”.
Among its provisions, the ceasefire agreement prohibits Israel from carrying out offensive actions in Lebanon while the Lebanese authorities must prevent armed groups, including Hezbollah, from attacking the Jewish state.
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