Israeli Airstrikes Target Eastern and Southern Lebanon, Ceasefire Violations Continue

BEIRUT, Dec 27: Israeli warplanes carried out fresh airstrikes across eastern and southern Lebanon on Friday, marking another breach of the ceasefire that has been in place since November 2024.

According to reports from Al-Manar and Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), multiple raids targeted areas in the Bekaa Valley, Hermel, Baalbek, northern Bekaa, Jezzine, and Nabatiyeh. Footage from the strikes showed dense smoke rising from the Zghrin mountains near Hermel and other mountainous regions in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military acknowledged the attacks, claiming they targeted Hezbollah positions, including weapons depots and a training compound belonging to the Radwan Force unit. Lebanese sources have not independently verified these claims.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued near-daily air raids and maintain deployments at five border locations, contrary to truce provisions requiring full withdrawal. Since the ceasefire took effect, Lebanese health ministry data indicates that Israeli attacks have killed more than 340 people in Lebanon.

Friday’s airstrikes follow similar attacks near the Syrian border and southern Lebanon that killed three people just a day earlier. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has documented over 7,500 Israeli airspace violations and nearly 2,500 land breaches since the ceasefire began.

Tensions remain high, with Lebanese officials warning that ongoing Israeli strikes undermine the ceasefire and threaten regional stability. Diplomatic efforts to address the situation continue, including recent discussions in Paris between French, Saudi, and US officials with the Lebanese Armed Forces regarding Hezbollah disarmament.

Hezbollah has reiterated that it will not disarm as long as Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon, emphasizing that repeated violations risk collapsing the fragile truce.