A growing threat of war looms over the Middle East as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate. Just days after a ceasefire agreement came into effect, Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Katz has warned that Israel will directly target the Lebanese state if the deal collapses.
According to Katz, Israel’s actions are aimed at enforcing the ceasefire, not violating it. He claimed that Israeli strikes on Lebanon were necessary in response to Hezbollah’s firing of rockets at Israeli-occupied territory.
The situation has deteriorated significantly since Monday, when Israeli airstrikes killed nine people in southern Lebanon. The attacks were retaliation for Hezbollah’s own rocket fire, which was described as a response to near-daily Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s leaders have rejected Israel’s claims that its actions are necessary to enforce the ceasefire, with the group accusing Israel of firing on civilians and violating Lebanese airspace.
The US, France, and the United Nations have all expressed concerns about Israel’s actions, with some privately telling Israel that it is violating the agreement. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that both the French and American governments believe Israel is flouting the deal.
Since the ceasefire came into effect last week, Israel has launched daily airstrikes on Lebanon. The military claims that its actions are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping in southern Lebanon.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether the fragile ceasefire will hold. With both sides displaying increased aggression, the risk of war growing by the day.
The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon has reported over 100 breaches of the ceasefire agreement since its implementation. Israeli officials argue that their actions are necessary to enforce the deal and protect Israeli civilians.
The international community is closely watching the situation as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to rise. The future of the fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance, with both sides displaying increased aggression by the day.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/03/middleeast/israel-threatens-hezbollah-lebanon-ceasefire-intl/index.html