Ceasefire in Lebanon Faces Strain as Israel accuses Hezbollah of violation

A fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon is under threat, just days after it was brokered between Israel and Hezbollah.

The truce, aimed at ending 14 months of devastating conflict, saw over 1.2 million displaced Lebanese beginning to return to their homes on Wednesday despite warnings from both the Lebanese military and Israeli army to avoid certain areas.

On Thursday, Israel accused Hezbollah of violating the agreement, stating that “several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to several areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire.”

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with artillery fire, injuring at least two individuals, and declared they would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”

Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed that Israeli artillery targeted three additional border locations, though no casualties were reported in those incidents. Israel also warned it would strike Hezbollah if further violations occur, while committing to a phased withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon.

The US and France-brokered ceasefire requires Hezbollah militants to retreat north of the Litani River, while Israeli forces are to withdraw to their side of the border.

The buffer zone will be jointly patrolled by Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers. A Lebanese military official indicated a gradual deployment of forces in the south as the Israeli withdrawal progresses.

The conflict, which escalated into full-scale war in September, has resulted in over 3,760 Lebanese fatalities and more than 70 deaths in Israel.

The clashes began following Hamas’ October 7 assault from Gaza, with Hezbollah launching rockets and missiles in solidarity, prompting Israeli airstrikes in retaliation.