Hezbollah Fires Warning Shots Amid Ceasefire Violations by Israel

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Hezbollah has responded to Israel’s alleged ceasefire violations with warning shots fired at an Israeli military position in an open area. The move comes after Lebanon accused Israel of breaching the truce over 50 times in recent days, leading to increased hostilities along the border.

Hezbollah’s Defensive Response

Hezbollah justified its actions as a “defensive and warning response” to what it deemed as “repeated violations” of the ceasefire deal by Israel. The militant group expressed frustration with the ineffectiveness of complaints lodged with mediators responsible for monitoring the ceasefire, claiming that Israeli transgressions persisted despite these efforts.

Israeli Military’s Account

The Israeli military reported that two projectiles were launched by Hezbollah towards Mount Dov, a disputed Israeli-held territory near the Lebanon-Syria-Israel border. Fortunately, the projectiles landed in open areas, resulting in no reported injuries. Israel has attributed its recent strikes in Lebanon to Hezbollah’s alleged violations of the ceasefire, although specific details were not provided.

International Ceasefire Agreement

The ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, went into effect on Wednesday, aiming to halt hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel for a period of 60 days. The agreement mandated both parties to withdraw from southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah required to retreat north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border. However, recent incidents, including the drone strike on a Lebanese army bulldozer far north of the designated area, have raised concerns about adherence to the ceasefire terms.

Escalating Tensions

The situation remains volatile, with Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, accusing Israel of 54 ceasefire breaches. Berri has called for urgent intervention to address what he perceives as “flagrant violations” by Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned Hezbollah’s actions as a “serious violation,” promising a forceful response to the warning shots.

As tensions continue to mount in the region, the fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance, with the potential for further clashes between Hezbollah and Israel. The international community, particularly the US and France, faces mounting pressure to intervene and ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement to prevent a full-scale conflict from erupting once again.