Israel, Lebanon accuse each other of violating ceasefire deal
NBCNOV 19 2024
Israeli Strikes in South Lebanon After Hezbollah Mortar Fire
Israeli Strikes in South Lebanon After Hezbollah Mortar Fire
Above: Staff members of the Amel Association, a Lebanese NGO, look out their damaged branch at buildings destroyed or damaged in an Israeli strike, in Beirut's southern suburbs Hay el-Sellom neighborhood on Dec. 2, 2024. Image copyright: Anwar Amro/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon on Monday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would "continue enforcing the ceasefire" and respond to recent Hezbollah mortar fire. Hezbollah said the mortar fire was "defensive" and was in response to cease-fire violations that harmed civilians.
Israel has denied that it has violated the cease-fire, saying that it was responding to Hezbollah moving weapons and fighters south of the Litani River. Israeli media reported that US special envoy Amos Hochstein told Israel that it had been violating the cease-fire.
France also warned Israel that it was violating the cease-fire, saying that Israel had failed to report Hezbollah's violations to the international commission and had used lethal force. The US Pentagon said that, despite some violations, the cease-fire is holding.
The Spin
Now that quiet has been found on the Lebanese-Israeli border, the US will continue to work toward a cease-fire in Gaza that ensures the release of Israeli hostages and the end of Hamas' rule over the Palestinian enclave. The Biden admin. worked hard to cement this deal that allows displaced Israelis and Lebanese to return home.
Hezbollah is testing Israel's limits. The terror group continues to violate the cease-fire, forcing Israel to respond. Indeed, Israel has been clear that it will not accept a return to the status quo in South Lebanon. International partners should pressure Hezbollah, not Israel, to stop pushing the boundaries of the agreement.
The reason this cease-fire passed was because Israel was failing to achieve its goals in Lebanon and Netanyahu decided it is better to focus on the genocide in Gaza. Israel is seeking to clear northern Gaza of its population to make way for settlements. Israel's traditional secular elite may be unhappy that the war in Lebanon is over, but the new settler elite is eager for the prospects of resettlement and an indefinite occupation of Gaza.
Hezbollah has responded to Israeli violations of the cease-fire with restraint, only seeking to warn Israel that it will respond to cease-fire violations. Israeli forces continue to target Lebanese civilians and the Lebanese army, fundamentally breaking aspects of the agreement. Hezbollah's patience may run out.