Israel and Hezbollah’s fragile ceasefire, brokered just a day prior by the US and France, came under strain as Israeli tank fire targeted six areas in southern Lebanon on Thursday. The Israeli military cited ceasefire violations, claiming that suspected militants had entered the border zone.
This rare ceasefire aimed to end 14 months of relentless fighting and allow residents to return to their devastated homes near the Israel-Lebanon border. However, the region remains tense as Israeli troops occupy border towns and surveillance drones patrol Lebanese airspace.
Lebanese media reported shelling in towns like Markaba and Kfarchouba, with two injuries confirmed in Markaba. Both Hezbollah and Israel have remained publicly silent on the tank fire incident.
While the ceasefire agreement requires Israeli forces to withdraw within 60 days, its durability is in question. Hezbollah, weakened by the loss of its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during recent hostilities, has pledged vigilance against potential Israeli aggression.
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As peace hangs by a thread, this truce marks a significant but shaky diplomatic breakthrough in a conflict-ridden region.