Fragile ceasefire in Lebanon under pressure as Israel, Hezbollah increase attacks

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The fragile ceasefire in Lebanon is under growing pressure as Israel and Hezbollah have increased attacks on each other despite a US-brokered extension to the ceasefire that was supposed to halt the fighting for another three weeks.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military is “operating with force” in Lebanon, as he accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement, though the Iran-backed militant group is not a party to the agreement. Netanyahu said Israel’s strikes are “according to rules agreed upon with the United States.”

On Saturday evening, Netanyahu ordered the military to “vigorously attack” Hezbollah targets in Lebanon following rocket and drone fire into Israel. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah military structures and a rocket launcher overnight.

Earlier Sunday, Hezbollah said it launched an attack on Israeli forces in Taybeh, in southern Lebanon, with a loitering glider, after the group accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. Hezbollah said the attack “achieved a confirmed hit.” Israel subsequently issued an evacuation order for several areas in southern Lebanon.

For context: Two weeks ago, Trump said on social media that “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A.” Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire on Thursday and said he hoped to host Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington – a meeting that appears increasingly untenable.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 2,496 people, including at least 177 children, since the beginning of the war, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.

The post Fragile ceasefire in Lebanon under pressure as Israel, Hezbollah increase attacks appeared first on Egypt Independent.

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