Israel Strikes Hezbollah Facility in Lebanon After Ceasefire
Israel launched its first air strike on Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect on Wednesday, targeting a Hezbollah weapons facility in southern Lebanon. The strike came after Hezbollah had fired into Israel, triggering a broader conflict that resulted in significant casualties and displacement in both countries.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United States and France, aimed to end the war, which began in October 2023 when Hezbollah supported Hamas’ attack on Israel. The truce stipulates the presence of only the Lebanese military and UN peacekeepers in the south, and the Lebanese army began deploying troops on Thursday.
Israel confirmed the strike on a facility used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets. “The threat was thwarted,” the Israeli military stated. Nazih Eid, the mayor of the Lebanese town of Baysariyeh, confirmed the strike hit a forested area not accessible to civilians.
While the ceasefire generally appeared to be holding, Israeli fire earlier wounded two people in a border village. The Israeli army responded to a violation of the ceasefire by opening fire on suspects identified near southern Lebanon. Israeli forces remain in southern Lebanon to enforce the ceasefire agreement.
The war left Lebanon devastated, with many towns and villages in ruins. Thousands of displaced Lebanese have begun returning to their homes. “Despite all the destruction and the sorrow, we are happy to be back,” said Umm Mohammed Bzeih, who fled her village two months ago. In the border village of Qlayaa, residents celebrated the arrival of Lebanese soldiers, chanting for the Lebanese army.
The conflict, which has worsened Lebanon’s pre-existing political and economic crises, also saw Hezbollah claim “victory” after the ceasefire. Despite this, Israel inflicted significant losses on Hezbollah, including the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in September.
Hezbollah announced it would remain “ready” to confront Israeli attacks, while expressing cooperation with the Lebanese army to strengthen the military presence in the south. However, there is ongoing skepticism regarding the lasting peace of the ceasefire, particularly in northern Israel, where residents remain fearful of further Hezbollah attacks.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that parliament would meet on January 9 to elect a president, a crucial step in addressing the country’s political vacuum.
