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Lebanese soldier wounded as Israel keeps violating ceasefire

Lebanese soldier wounded as Israel continues to violate ceasefire
MENA
3 min read
Lebanese media reported dozens of Israeli violations of the landmark ceasefire agreement struck last week between Hezbollah and Israel.
Israeli forces have again warned people in Lebanon against travelling south in their country, saying that residents were "prohibited" from returning to their homes [Getty]

Lebanon's army said an Israeli drone strike wounded one of its soldiers in the eastern region of Hermel on Monday, the latest such raid since Hezbollah and Israel agreed on a ceasefire five days ago.

"An enemy drone struck an army bulldozer at a position, injuring one soldier," the army said, adding that the bulldozer was carrying out construction work within the Al-Abbara military centre in the Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali area of Hermel.

The incident adds to a series of Israeli violations, particularly in the south, which had killed five people and wounded four since the ceasefire came into effect on Wednesday.

Lebanon has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the agreement, including UN Resolution 1701, saying it was awaiting the start of the work of the oversight committee to stop Israel's daily violations.

US Major General Jasper Jeffers arrived in Beirut on Friday to serve as a co-chair, alongside senior advisor to US president, Amos Hochstein, on the five-member supervisory committee for implementing and monitoring the ceasefire agreement.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on the committee to "urgently" begin its work, to stop Israel's continued violations and force its forces to withdraw from occupied territories.

Berri emphasised Israel's violations - including the continued demolishing of structures and homes in Lebanese border villages, were "flagrant breaches of the ceasefire agreement [...], which Lebanon has pledged to uphold."

Over 62 violations recorded by media

Lebanese media reported dozens of Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement which ended more than one year of cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

Intensified ground and aerial attacks were reported in the south, with at least 62  by the Lebanese Megaphone news platform, with a focus on the border town of Khiam, and reports of multiple strikes and detonations of homes and buildings there.

The outlet also reported artillery and gunfire in and around the frontier villages of Maroun al-Ras, Aitaroun, Yaroun and Rachaya al-Foukhar.

Several media outlets also reported sounds of "massive blasts" in Khiam early on Sunday.

Meanwhile, France warned Israel over the possible collapse of the ceasefire after it had recorded 52 violations by Israel over a 24-hour period, MTV reported.

Former Lebanese army UNIFIL coordinator, Brigadier General Munir Shahada, told °®Âþµº's Arabic language edition Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the Israeli violations were a result of "domestic pressures" and attempts to "assert dominance" after the ceasefire agreement.

Shahada noted that Hezbollah's "restrained response" was ensuring the safety of returning displaced residents and exposed the "ineffectiveness of international assurances in stopping the Israeli aggression".

On Israeli claims that Hezbollah was breaching the ceasefire, Shahada said the comments were "typical excuses to justify crimes and violations", pointing to Israel's ongoing military movements and demolitions in southern Lebanon villages under various excuses.

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Israel warns residents returning to south Lebanon

Israeli forces have again warned people in Lebanon against travelling south in their country, saying that residents were "prohibited" from returning to their homes.

"I remind you that until further notice, you are prohibited from moving south to the line of the following villages and their surroundings: Shebaa, al-Habbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Chaqra, Baraachit, Yater, Al-Mansouri," Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X.

"Anyone who moves south of this line – puts himself in danger," he added.

Adraee also listed more than 60 villages that he said people were "prohibited" from returning to.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to discuss measures to strengthen the ceasefire in Lebanon during his upcoming talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), according to Annahar newspaper.

The French leader is expected to land in Riyadh for a three-day visit on Monday.

Macron and MBS will also discuss steps to resolve Lebanon's political crisis, according to Annahar.