Beirut, Lebanon — Tensions are rising as Israel and Hezbollah traded strikes on Monday, threatening a fragile ceasefire that has held for less than a week. The exchange resulted in at least 11 deaths and several injuries in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military confirmed strikes on dozens of Hezbollah targets after the group launched missiles at an Israeli military position in the disputed Shebaa Farms area. Hezbollah described their action as a “defensive warning strike” in response to what they claim are repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Ceasefire Violations Mount
Nabih Berri, the Lebanese Speaker of Parliament who negotiated the truce, reported that Israel has committed at least 54 ceasefire violations since November 27. He urged the committee responsible for monitoring the ceasefire to take immediate action to halt these breaches.
Mahmoud Qomati, Deputy Head of Hezbollah’s Political Council, criticized Israel’s actions, stating, “Hezbollah does not want the return or expansion of the war. Hezbollah has been respecting the agreement, and countries supervising the deal shall bear responsibilities for these violations.”
Humanitarian Concerns Amid Unrest
As tensions escalate, UN humanitarian agencies are assisting displaced people returning to their communities. The International Organization for Migration reported that nearly 580,000 people began returning home within 24 hours after the ceasefire commenced.
However, those returning face significant challenges, including damaged infrastructure, limited services, safety concerns, and the threat of unexploded ordnance. The World Health Organization is prioritizing repairs to hospitals and addressing the risk of disease outbreaks.
Palestinian Factions Discuss Gaza’s Future
In Cairo, delegations from the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and Hamas resumed talks to discuss the future management of the war-torn Gaza Strip. The negotiations, held under Egyptian sponsorship, aim to find common ground on governance and reconstruction efforts in the region.
The talks are a continuation of previous discussions that led to an agreement in October to form a temporary, non-political committee to oversee services in Gaza, including managing the Rafah border crossing.
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Israel, Hezbollah exchange strikes as ceasefire violations mount
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