Less than a week after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect, escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah has cast doubt on the fragile agreement, with both sides accusing the other of undermining the truce. The renewed hostilities threaten to plunge the region back into full-scale conflict.
Rising Tensions and Deadly Escalation
On Monday, Israeli airstrikes targeted southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah mortar fire at an Israeli military base in the disputed Shebaa Farms area. While the mortars caused no injuries, the Israeli strikes killed ten people, according to Lebanese health authorities, marking the deadliest day since the ceasefire began last Wednesday.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning about the potential collapse of the ceasefire. “If we return to war, we will act with strength, go deeper,” Katz said during a visit to Israeli Defense Forces near the Lebanese border. “There will no longer be any exemptions for the State of Lebanon.”
The Israeli military claimed to have hit 29 Hezbollah targets, including fighters, launchers, and infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Hezbollah’s actions as a “serious violation of the ceasefire” and vowed to respond firmly to any further aggression.
Hezbollah and Lebanon Fire Back
Hezbollah, however, accused Israel of repeated violations of the agreement, including airstrikes near civilian areas and breaches of Lebanese airspace. The group called its mortar attack a “defensive and warning response” to Israeli aggression.
Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, accused Israel of flagrantly violating the ceasefire. “The aggressive actions carried out by Israeli occupation forces… represent a flagrant violation of the terms of the ceasefire,” Berri said, urging international mediators to hold Israel accountable.
Ceasefire Terms and Mounting Challenges
The ceasefire agreement, designed to last 60 days, calls for Hezbollah to retreat 40 kilometers north of the Israel-Lebanon border while Israeli forces withdraw from Lebanese territory. Both sides are required to abide by tighter monitoring of Hezbollah’s movements south of the Litani River.
Israel has criticized Hezbollah for maintaining armed fighters in areas south of the Litani, calling it the “most basic violation” of the agreement. Hezbollah, meanwhile, argues that Israel’s continued airstrikes and military operations are undermining the truce.
International Efforts to Stabilize Peace
U.S. and French officials, key brokers of the agreement, have expressed concerns over the escalating violence. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein reportedly warned Israel about its actions, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on all parties to honor the ceasefire.
White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby described the truce as “largely holding” but acknowledged ongoing challenges. “We’ve gone from dozens of [Israeli] strikes down to one a day, maybe two a day,” Kirby said, emphasizing the need for continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
A Region on Edge
With over 3,960 people killed and one million displaced during the 14 months of hostilities preceding the ceasefire, the stakes remain high. The fragile peace, marred by mutual distrust and retaliatory actions, hangs by a thread as both sides brace for the possibility of renewed conflict.
