Lebanon reports 19 more Israeli violations despite cease-fire

ISTANBUL

The Israeli army committed 19 violations of a cease-fire agreement with Lebanon on Wednesday, bringing the total number of breaches since the agreement took effect on Nov. 27 last year to 432.

The latest figure comes from statistics compiled by Anadolu based on announcements by Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA).

According to reports from the agency, Wednesday’s violations were concentrated in the districts of Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil in Nabatieh Governorate, Tyre district in South Governorate, and Hermel district in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate.

The violations included incursions, artillery and tank shelling, demolitions of homes and buildings, drone and warplane overflights, and sweeping operations with machine guns.

In Marjayoun district, Israeli forces, supported by several vehicles, advanced into the western outskirts of the town of Meis al-Jabal, where they conducted search operations.

Prior to this, sweeping operations with machine guns targeted the inner neighborhoods of the town.

The Israeli army also carried out widespread demolitions of homes and buildings in the towns of Kfar Kila, Taybeh and Tallouseh as well as along the road connecting the towns of Rab Thalathin and Taybeh.

Additionally, Israeli artillery shelled the plains of Marjayoun near the outskirts of the town of Burj al-Muluk.

In Bint Jbeil district, Israeli soldiers blew up several homes in the town of Ayta ash-Shaab, while a mechanized Israeli force advanced toward the wooded areas between Ayta ash-Shaab and Debl.

Israeli reconnaissance and drone aircraft were observed flying over Bint Jbeil, the district’s main city.

Merkava tanks targeted the home of the mayor of Bint Jbeil on the city’s outskirts as well as a house in the Aqabat Maroun neighborhood, also on the city’s edge.

In Maroun al-Ras, the Israeli army conducted machine-gun sweeps, while the sound of vehicle movements was heard on the town’s outskirts, coinciding with drone overflights in the area.

Israeli forces also shelled the Al-Waara neighborhood in the town of Rmeish, striking a house near a civil defense center. No casualties were reported, but the shelling damaged several civil defense vehicles and a civilian car.

In Tyre district, an Israeli drone was reported flying at low altitude over Tyre city, the district’s center, and its surroundings.

In Hermel district, an Israeli warplane was spotted flying at medium altitude over Hermel city.

Lebanese authorities have reported more than 432 Israeli violations of the cease-fire, including the deaths of 32 people and the injury of 39 others, since the deal came into force on Nov. 27.

The cease-fire agreement aimed to end over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah group since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Under the cease-fire terms, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line – a de facto border – in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.

Data from the Lebanese Health Ministry indicates that since Israel’s onslaught against Lebanon began on Oct. 8, 2023, at least 4,063 people have been killed, including women, children and health workers, while 16,664 others have been injured.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala