Israel's continued aggression threatens Lebanon’s stability: Lebanese army

BEIRUT

Israel’s persistent attacks endanger Lebanon’s stability and negatively impact regional security, the Lebanese army warned Thursday.

"The Israeli enemy continues its assaults on Lebanon’s sovereignty by land, sea and air, the latest of which includes a series of targeted attacks on civilians in the south and the Bekaa region (in the east), along with its ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory and repeated violations of land borders,” the army’s leadership said in a statement.

"Israel’s persistence in its aggression threatens Lebanon’s stability and negatively impacts regional stability, in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement,” it added.

The army announced that "its military units continue to facilitate the return of residents to southern areas by clearing unexploded ordnance, removing debris and reopening roads."

It added that it is monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures in coordination with the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since Nov. 27, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.

Lebanese authorities have reported nearly 1,100 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of at least 84 people and injuries to more than 280 others.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.