Hezbollah launched an attack into a disputed border zone held by Israel on Monday, marking its first assault since the ceasefire with Israel came into effect last week. The incident occurred after Lebanon accused Israel of violating the truce more than 50 times in recent days.
The Israeli military confirmed that two projectiles were fired towards Mount Dov, a contested Israeli-held territory known as Shebaa Farms in Lebanon, where the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Israel converge. Fortunately, the projectiles landed in open areas, causing no injuries.
Hezbollah justified its actions by stating that it targeted an Israeli military position in the area as a defensive and warning response to what it perceived as repeated violations of the ceasefire deal by Israel. The group claimed that complaints to mediators overseeing the ceasefire had been ineffective in curbing these alleged violations.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, commenced last Wednesday with the aim of halting more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. However, since the ceasefire's initiation, Israel has conducted several strikes in Lebanon. Most recently, a drone strike resulted in the death of a man on a motorcycle in southern Lebanon, while another drone strike targeted a Lebanese army bulldozer in the town of Hermel, injuring a soldier.
Israel has defended its actions by asserting that the strikes were responses to Hezbollah's breaches of the ceasefire, although specific details were not provided. As per the terms of the ceasefire agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah are required to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is mandated to retreat to a position north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Despite these stipulations, recent incidents have occurred well beyond the designated withdrawal line. Lebanon's parliament speaker accused Israel of committing 54 violations of the ceasefire, including alleged home demolitions in border villages, persistent overflights by Israeli drones, and airstrikes resulting in casualties.
The United States and France have been tasked with monitoring compliance with the ceasefire agreement. Israel maintains that it retains the right to respond to perceived violations of the ceasefire.
For more updates on the ongoing conflict, visit AP's war coverage.
