Israel launches new wave of air attacks on Lebanon, straining fragile truce  - Haiti Gazette – Daily Haiti

The skies over southern Lebanon once again bore witness to a barrage of Israeli air attacks this week, as the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah continues to fray at the edges. Lebanese state media reported significant damage to several homes, fueling mounting anger over what Beirut perceives as repeated and unwarranted violations of a Washington-brokered truce agreed upon just last year. This latest escalation underscores the precarious security situation in the region, where a delicate balance of power constantly threatens to tip into wider conflict.

The Latest Wave of Strikes: Targets and Justifications

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), Israeli jets conducted "several waves" of strikes late on Monday. The targeted areas included strategic locations such as Mount Safi, the town of Jbaa, the Zefta Valley, and the region situated between Azza and Rumin Arki. While the immediate aftermath saw no reports of casualties, the structural damage to civilian residences sent a chilling reminder of the proximity of conflict to everyday life.

In response to the Lebanese reports, the Israeli military swiftly issued a statement via X (formerly Twitter), asserting that its operations were directed at specific Hezbollah assets. The military claimed to have struck multiple sites linked to the Iran-backed group, including a specialized operations training compound utilized by its elite Radwan Force. Furthermore, the Israeli statement indicated that several buildings and a rocket-launching site were also among the targets hit. These claims, while consistent with Israel's stated objectives of degrading Hezbollah's capabilities, are often met with skepticism and counter-accusations from the Lebanese side, highlighting the deep mistrust that permeates the conflict.

A Fragile Truce Under Duress: The 2024 Ceasefire

The recent air raids are not isolated incidents but rather part of a disturbing pattern that has emerged since the 2024 ceasefire was brokered by the United States. This agreement was hailed as a crucial step, bringing an end to more than a year of intense clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which had threatened to engulf the wider Middle East. The ceasefire was intended to provide a much-needed respite, allowing for de-escalation and the potential for more comprehensive peace talks.

However, the ink on the agreement barely seemed to dry before Israel resumed its military actions. Lebanese officials and international observers note that Israel has continued to strike targets in Lebanon on a near-daily basis, effectively undermining the spirit and letter of the truce. This persistent military activity has led many in Lebanon to question the efficacy and sincerity of the ceasefire, deepening the sense of insecurity and betrayal.

Rising Civilian Toll and International Condemnation

The human cost of these ongoing violations is stark and increasingly difficult to ignore. A sobering United Nations report, released in November, painted a grim picture of the situation on the ground. The report revealed that at least 127 civilians, including a tragic number of children, have been killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire officially went into effect. These figures are not mere statistics; they represent lives cut short, families shattered, and communities living under constant fear.

UN officials, deeply concerned by the escalating violence and the disregard for civilian lives, have issued stern warnings. They have unequivocally stated that the nature and frequency of these strikes could amount to "war crimes." This grave accusation underscores the international community's growing alarm and the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law. The targeting of civilian infrastructure and the disproportionate impact on non-combatants are critical points of contention that continue to draw global condemnation.

Escalation Points: Beirut Bombing and Hezbollah's Response

Tensions reached a fever pitch just last week with a particularly audacious Israeli bombing in Beirut’s southern suburbs. This strike resulted in the death of Haytham Ali Tabtabai, a figure identified as Hezbollah’s top military commander. The assassination of such a high-profile operative represents a significant escalation, pushing the boundaries of the fragile truce even further.

Hezbollah, still grappling with the aftermath and internal restructuring following last year's conflict, has yet to deliver a definitive response to Tabtabai's killing. The group's silence, while perhaps strategic, is pregnant with anticipation, leaving many to wonder what form their retaliation might take and how it could further destabilize an already volatile region. The specter of a retaliatory strike looms large, adding another layer of anxiety to the already tense atmosphere.

Diplomatic Maneuvers and Sticking Points

Amidst the escalating military actions, there have been some attempts at diplomatic engagement, albeit tentative ones. Days before the latest air attacks, both Israel and Lebanon dispatched civilian envoys to a military committee specifically tasked with overseeing their ceasefire. This move, while small, was a direct response to a months-old demand by the United States, which has been persistently urging the two countries to broaden their talks beyond mere military coordination.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun articulated his country’s position on Friday, stating that Lebanon "has adopted the option of negotiations with Israel." He clarified that these talks were primarily aimed at compelling Israel to cease its continuous attacks on Lebanese territory. This indicates a desire from Beirut to use diplomatic channels to enforce the ceasefire and protect its sovereignty.

However, a significant sticking point remains the issue of Hezbollah's arsenal. Israel has consistently accused Lebanon of failing to adequately compel Hezbollah to relinquish its weapons across the country, viewing the group's continued armament as an existential threat. The Lebanese government, in turn, vehemently denies these claims, arguing that Hezbollah's presence is a defensive measure against Israeli aggression.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam recently weighed in on the matter, emphasizing Lebanon’s desire for the ceasefire monitoring mechanism to play a more robust and verifiable role. Salam called for the mechanism to actively verify Israel’s claims regarding Hezbollah’s rearming efforts, as well as to scrutinize the work of the Lebanese army in dismantling the armed group’s infrastructure. When pressed on whether Lebanon would accept the deployment of US and French troops on the ground as part of such a verification mechanism, Salam’s response was unequivocal: "Of course." This openness to international oversight highlights Lebanon's commitment to a transparent and effective monitoring process.

Hezbollah's Unwavering Stance and Future Prospects

Despite the diplomatic overtures and international pressure, Hezbollah has maintained a firm stance on its weaponry. The group has repeatedly stated its unwillingness to disarm as long as Israel continues its strikes on Lebanese territory and maintains its occupation of five disputed points in the country’s south. This conditionality sets a high bar for any lasting resolution, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

The continued Israeli strikes have understandably raised profound fears within Lebanon that the Israeli military could expand its air campaign further, potentially dragging the region into a devastating full-scale conflict. The delicate balance holds, but with each passing day and each new strike, the threads of peace grow thinner, leaving the future of Lebanon and the wider region hanging precariously in the balance.