Israel Launches Strikes on Lebanon
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Israeli Raids Resume in South Lebanon Following Talks
Israeli raids hit south Lebanon on Thursday as its military said it was striking hezbollah weapons storage facilities, a day after Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades. The resumption of strikes underscores the fragility of the November 2024 ceasefire and ongoing tensions in the region.
Despite the November 2024 ceasefire intended to end over a year of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israel has continued strikes on Lebanon and maintains troops in five south Lebanon areas it considers strategically significant.
The recent visit from Pope Leo XIV (Sunday to Tuesday) had provided Lebanon with a temporary reprieve from Israeli air strikes, with the pontiff urging an end to hostilities. However, this period of calm proved short-lived.
The Israeli army announced on Thursday that it “began conducting strikes on Hezbollah terror targets in southern lebanon,” following warnings issued regarding buildings in Mahrouna and Jbaa. Further warnings were issued concerning “military infrastructure” in Majadal and Baraasheet.
lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed that Israeli warplanes struck Mahrouna, with additional raids targeting buildings in Jbaa, Majadal, and Baraasheet.An AFP photographer documented smoke rising from the strike site in Jbaa.
Civilian Impact
“It’s a entirely civilian area.We’re used to Israeli threats from time to time,” stated local official Yassir Madi. “As for the damage, ther’s not a window within 300 metres that didn’t break. Everyone is living in shock.”
the Israeli military claims its strikes targeted “weapons storage facilities belonging to Hezbollah” located “in the heart of the civilian population.” They accuse Hezbollah of using Lebanese civilians as human shields and operating from civilian areas.
While Lebanon’s government has officially committed to disarming Hezbollah, the group has rejected this demand, and many Lebanese citizens fear a return to broader Israeli military operations.
Recent Diplomatic Efforts
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held surprise talks on Wednesday, facilitated by the ceasefire monitoring mechanism at the UN peacekeeping force headquarters in Naqura, near the border. Representatives from the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel, and the UN force regularly convene in Naqura.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the initial negotiations as “positive” and emphasized ”the need for the language of dialogue to continue,” according to Information Minister Paul Morcos.
