Breaking News: Israel Launches Strikes on Lebanon‘s Baalbek, Lebanon Calls it Violation of Ceasefire
Jerusalem – In a escalation of recent tensions, Israel has launched an operation targeting areas close to the Lebanese city of Baalbek. Lebanon swiftly condemned the act, labeling it a significant breach of the ongoing ceasefire with Israel and Hezbollah.
AFP reports that the attack, which occurred on Wednesday (12/25/2024), targeted a region near the town of Taraya. Lebanese authorities noted that the incident did not result in any casualties butAsserted that it marked the first transgression of the agreed ceasefire in the Baalbek area. A security source in Lebanon, speaking anonymously, revealed that the strikes had seemingly targeted facilities believed to belong to Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, which has dominated southern and eastern regions of Lebanon for decades, has long been a contentious force in the Middle East. The current ceasefire, brokered after over a year of conflict in Gaza, began on November 27. Both sides have since accused each other of violating the agreement.
Though weakened by the recent conflict, Hezbollah has not been defeated. An international committee comprising the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel, and UN peacekeeping forces is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and addressing any breaches.
Lebanon has called upon all parties, particularly the United States and France, to pressure Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon, in line with the terms of the ceasefire. Under the arrangement, Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers will be deployed in southern Lebanon as Israel_remove their forces over a 60-day period concluding in January 2025.
Israel’s military has confirmed continuing ‘defensive activities’ in southern regions, in line with the terms of the ceasefire. However, they have yet to comment on the reported strikes in eastern Lebanon.
(ylx/knv)
