Israel attacks Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, violates ceasefire deal again

Israel attacks Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, violates ceasefire deal again

In its most recent violation of a fragile ceasefire with the Hezbollah organization, Israel has launched a string of attacks on Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

As tensions grew as a result of Israel’s extension of a recent deadline for removing its troops from the nation, the army claimed on Friday that it had hit “multiple” Hezbollah targets in the east of the country’s border.

The army claimed that the overnight attack targeted “underground infrastructure used to develop and manufacture weaponry” as well as “sites on the border used to smuggle weaponry into Lebanon.”

In accordance with a ceasefire deal reached in November, Israel was supposed to finish withdrawing its army from Lebanon by January 26. The deadline was then extended to February 18 because it refused to do so.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Lebanese army is to deploy in the south as Hezbollah pulls its forces back north of the Litani River, some 30km (20 miles) from the border.

Israel asserted that the Lebanese army had broken its side of the bargain by making it clear that it had no intention of meeting the deadline.

In the two months from November 27 to Monday, Israel killed at least 83 people in Lebanon, according to data obtained from Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.

As displaced residents attempted to re-enter the towns where Israeli soldiers are still stationed, at least 228 people were hurt.

Earlier this week, as thousands of people in Lebanon tried to return to their homes, Israeli forces&nbsp, killed at least 24 in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement, including attacks on the towns of Taybeh and Kfar Kila, both of which are close to Israel, according to Lebanese media this week.

At least five people were hurt on Wednesday in Majdal Selem, in southern Lebanon, in the most recent drone attack, according to Reuters news agency.

Source: Aljazeera