Israel Strikes Lebanon on Ceasefire Anniversary, Escalating Tensions
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Israel's military launched a series of airstrikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Thursday, marking the one-year anniversary of a fragile ceasefire. The strikes targeted areas just north of the Litani River, including Al-Mahmoudiya and Al-Jarmak, where Israeli aircraft reportedly launched 'a series of raids'. Despite the November 27, 2024 ceasefire, Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon, citing the need to stop Hezbollah from rearming. The Israeli military claims it has dismantled over 1,200 'terror infrastructure' sites and eliminated more than 370 Hezbollah members and other Palestinian militants since the truce. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the situation as a 'one-sided war of attrition' that is escalating. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejected Israeli claims, saying the Lebanese army is working to disarm Hezbollah by dismantling its military infrastructure south of the Litani River. The United States is increasing pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, accusing the government of stalling the process. The UN's special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, warned that uncertainty remains a year after the ceasefire, and that the risk of future hostilities will continue to loom large. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of 'no calm' in Lebanon unless Israel's security is guaranteed. The recent killing of senior Hezbollah commander Haitham Ali Tabatabai by an Israeli strike has further escalated tensions. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam questioned the effectiveness of Hezbollah's weapons in deterring Israeli aggression, saying they have provided neither protection nor victory to the Lebanese people or Gaza.
