Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Tensions Escalate Amid Border Clashes

Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Tensions Escalate Amid Border Clashes \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the U.S. and France, is unraveling after a series of clashes. Hezbollah launched projectiles into a disputed border zone, prompting retaliatory Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. The truce, intended to halt a year-long conflict, is increasingly strained as both sides accuse each other of violations. Meanwhile, Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, with U.N. aid deliveries halted due to looting, leaving over 1 million Palestinians at risk of famine.

Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire in Crisis: Quick Looks

• Ceasefire Breach: Hezbollah fired projectiles into Israeli-held territory, citing Israeli violations.
• Israeli Retaliation: Airstrikes hit southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah fighters and positions.
• Fragile Truce: A 60-day ceasefire requires Hezbollah to pull back from southern Lebanon.
• U.N. Monitoring: Mediators downplay violations, insisting the truce is largely holding.
• Gaza Crisis: Food shortages worsen as aid halts, leaving Palestinians in dire conditions.

Deep Look

Hezbollah and Israel Clash Amid Ceasefire

Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel reignited Monday, threatening to derail the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. and France. The truce, which began last Wednesday, was intended to halt a year-long conflict and stabilize the Lebanon-Israel border. However, hostilities resumed after Hezbollah fired projectiles into Israeli-held Mount Dov, known as Shebaa Farms in Lebanon.

Hezbollah described its attack as a “defensive and warning response” to what it called repeated Israeli violations of the truce. The group accused Israel of strikes, drone overflights, and demolitions near the border, claiming diplomatic complaints had failed to prevent these actions.

In retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions in the al-Tuffah region. Lebanese state media reported at least five strikes in the area. While details about casualties remain unclear, recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon have already killed at least four people, including a Lebanese security official, and wounded others.

Accusations of Truce Violations

Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire more than 50 times since it began. He cited drone overflights, airstrikes, and home demolitions near the border. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, dismissed these claims and accused Hezbollah of undermining the agreement.

Netanyahu called Hezbollah’s attacks “a serious violation” and warned that Israel would “respond forcefully” to any further aggression. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, promising harsh retaliation if Hezbollah continued its activities.

The Israeli military said the two projectiles fired by Hezbollah landed in open areas, causing no injuries. However, the incident has heightened fears of further escalation, with both sides trading accusations of ceasefire breaches.

Terms of the Ceasefire

The 60-day ceasefire requires Hezbollah to withdraw its fighters and infrastructure from southern Lebanon, retreating north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli-Lebanese border. Israeli troops are also obligated to pull back to their side of the border.

Despite these terms, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized that Hezbollah’s continued presence south of the Litani River represents a fundamental violation of the agreement. He stated that Israel would strike any identified Hezbollah fighters or weapon movements in the region.

Lebanon’s Political and Military Landscape

The Lebanese army, which has largely stayed on the sidelines of the Hezbollah-Israel conflict, is expected to deploy additional troops to the south alongside U.N. peacekeepers to enforce the ceasefire. However, these forces face significant challenges in curbing Hezbollah’s influence.

Israeli strikes on Monday also targeted areas far north of the Litani River, including a drone strike in Hermel that hit a Lebanese army bulldozer, wounding a soldier. Israel claimed the strike was against military vehicles linked to a Hezbollah missile manufacturing site.

Gaza Crisis: Humanitarian Emergency Worsens

While tensions escalate in Lebanon, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels. Food supplies in the territory have dwindled dramatically over the past two months, exacerbated by the U.N.’s decision to halt aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The U.N. cited security risks, including looting by armed groups, as the primary reason for the suspension. Aid officials blame the breakdown of law and order on Israeli military restrictions and the broader conflict.

Over 1 million Palestinians are now at risk of famine, with experts warning of severe hunger across central and southern Gaza. In northern Gaza, where Israeli forces have isolated entire communities since October, the situation is even more dire.

Daily Struggles in Gaza

Displaced Palestinians in overcrowded tent camps are struggling to access basic necessities. In Deir al-Balah, families line up at makeshift clay ovens for flatbread, often dividing a single loaf among several people. Rising flour prices and limited supplies have further strained these efforts.

“Flour is running out for everyone,” said Enayat al-Attar, a displaced baker. Another baker, Wafaa al-Attar, explained that scarcity forces families to ration bread, with some surviving on just one loaf per day.

Aid Deliveries Remain Insufficient

The Israeli military announced that 40 trucks carrying 600 tons of flour entered southern Gaza on Sunday, alongside 16 other food trucks. However, U.N. officials argue that less than half of this aid reaches civilians due to logistical challenges and security risks.

November saw a slight increase in aid deliveries, with an average of 77 trucks entering Gaza daily, compared to 57 in October. Still, these levels are among the lowest recorded during the 15-month conflict.

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, described the situation as dire, blaming Israeli policies for the collapse of governance in Gaza.

Regional Stability at Stake

The dual crises in Lebanon and Gaza underscore the fragility of the region. While mediators insist the Lebanon ceasefire is largely holding, the recent escalation between Hezbollah and Israel threatens to unravel progress. Meanwhile, Gaza’s worsening humanitarian emergency demands urgent attention to avert a full-scale famine.

As tensions persist, the risk of broader regional instability looms large, complicating efforts to achieve lasting peace.

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