Benjamin Netanyahu orders strike on southern Lebanon while threatening “intensive war” if truce is not respected

Always supported by his allies, including France and the United States who have decided to ignore the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Benjamin Netanyahu continues his enterprise of destruction. Despite the signing of a ceasefire on Tuesday, November 26, between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli army claims to have struck an installation designed “to store medium-range rockets in southern Lebanon” and have “thwarted the threat”on the evening of this Thursday, November 28.

The mayor of Baïssariyé, Nazih Eid, declared that a fighter plane targeted “a forest area not accessible to civilians”located in its locality. Israeli fire also injured two people in the village of Markaba, in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese news agency ANI.

A ceasefire violated “repeatedly”

Despite the ceasefire, Israel therefore struck southern Lebanon. During an interview with the Israeli media Channel 14, Benjamin Netanyahu threatened, at the same time, a « guerre intensive »if ever the truce negotiated with Hezbollah… were to be violated.

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which began deploying troops in the south of the country – in accordance with the agreement – ​​accused Tel Aviv of having already violated “repeatedly” the ceasefire. Hardly surprising when we remember the words of the Israeli Prime Minister on November 26: “If he (and Hezbollah) attempts to rebuild terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If he fires a rocket, if he digs a tunnel, if he brings in a truck with missiles, we will attack. »

The ceasefire agreement, established in the presence of US and French diplomats – while the Élysée did not hesitate to speak of Netanyahu's immunity vis-à-vis the arrest warrant issued by the ICC in order to obtain Tel Aviv's consent to a French presence in the ceasefire observation mechanism – provides for the withdrawal, within sixty days, of the Israeli army from the Land of Cedar.

According to Beirut, nearly 4,000 people have been killed since October 2023

Hezbollah must, for its part, retreat north of the Litani River, located approximately 20 kilometers from the Lebanese-Israeli border, and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south of the country. The Lebanese armed forces are, finally, supposed to deploy 1,500 soldiers in the coming days, to reinforce the 4,000 already present north of the Litani River. Reinforcements which should rise to 6,000 soldiers in the next six months.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is also on site. Targeted by the Israeli army, she now intends to continue her mission with Lebanese soldiers. In a press release dated November 27, it welcomed “commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 as a path to peace”. This resolution, dated 2006 but never implemented, effectively provides for the withdrawal of Hezbollah beyond the Litani River but also that of Israeli troops and the cessation by Israel of the systematic and repeated violation of Lebanese air and maritime spaces.

According to Beirut, nearly 4,000 people have been killed since October 2023 on its territory, most since the end of September 2024. On the Israeli side, 82 soldiers and 47 civilians have died in thirteen months on site, according to the Lebanese authorities. . The Israeli army invaded southern Lebanon on October 1.

As soon as the ceasefire came into force at dawn on Wednesday, tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens, forced to flee the bombings, nevertheless decided to finally return home, to the south. and the east of the country, as well as in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Areas largely razed – Lebanese villages located on the border with Israel were destroyed at least 70% – by Israel's attacks, in line with what it achieved in the Gaza Strip.

For its part, the Lebanese army continues to deploy in the area, where it sets up checkpoints. Soldiers do not advance into areas where the Israeli army remains present. The latter intends to stay in southern Lebanon “to enforce” the truce. In the meantime, Tel Aviv plans to “focus on the Iranian threat”announced Benjamin Netanyahu during his speech on Tuesday, November 26.

Above all, this agreement will allow the Israeli army to replenish its weapons stocks. “There have been delays, and significant delays, in arms deliveries”insisted the Israeli Prime Minister, adding nevertheless that “this delay will soon be made up for”. A direct reference to the upcoming return of Donald Trump, declared support of the Israeli government, at the head of the United States.