11 killed in Lebanon amid Israeli strikes despite ceasefire with Hezbollah

Despite a ceasefire agreement, clashes continue between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israeli retaliatory strikes on Monday, following rocket fire from the Shi'ite group toward the Golan Heights, have resulted in the deaths of 11 people.

Israeli troops move between destroyed houses, in the south Lebanon village of Meiss El-Jabal, as they leave Lebanon on their way back into Israel, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, 02 December 2024. A 60-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah came into force on 27 November.

EPA/ATEF SAFADI

Israeli strikes target Hezbollah positions

Reuters reported that nine people were killed and three wounded in southern Lebanon due to Israeli attacks. Earlier, Lebanese authorities had confirmed two fatalities, bringing the total death toll from Monday's strikes to 11. These incidents mark further violations of the ceasefire that has been in place since Wednesday.

Israel kills 11 people in Lebanon; Hezbollah attacks Israeli position https://t.co/EOWI6lAOfY

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 3, 2024

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they struck dozens of Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. "Fighter jets attacked Hezbollah operatives, dozens of rocket launchers, and other infrastructure belonging to the organization," the IDF said in a statement. The strikes also destroyed a launcher used earlier on Monday to fire two rockets toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Both sides have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire terms. The Israeli military has conducted several strikes in recent days, stating they are neutralizing "threats violating the ceasefire." Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament and a Hezbollah ally who negotiated the agreement on behalf of Lebanon, claimed that since Wednesday, Israel has committed 54 ceasefire violations.

Ceasefire announcement and reactions

U.S. President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire last Tuesday, stating: "This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities. What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations […] will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again. Over the next 60 days, the Lebanese Army and the State Security Forces will deploy and take control of their own territory once again."

However, Biden's optimistic tone contrasted with remarks from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah officials. Netanyahu indicated that the duration of the ceasefire would depend on "developments in Lebanon," asserting that Israel "maintains full freedom of action against Hezbollah in coordination with the U.S."

Hezbollah, in its first statement following the ceasefire, declared "victory" over Israel and vowed to continue its resistance. "The Islamic Resistance Command confirms that its fighters from all units will remain fully equipped to confront the ambitions and attacks of the Israeli enemy," the group said in a communiqué.

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Source: PAP, Radio Zet, Al Jazeera, Reuters