Video snippet of an IDF strike on a weapons depot in Baalbek Lebanon

Israel conducted a series of airstrikes in Lebanon on Sunday, striking Hezbollah-linked targets in both the eastern Baalbek region and areas near Nabatieh in the south, according to Lebanese state media. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, stating they were aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including smuggling routes along the Lebanon-Syria border, a rocket launcher, and a key Hezbollah military site.

The airstrikes mark a significant escalation in the already strained ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has been in effect since November 27. This agreement aimed to stabilize the volatile region but has faced repeated violations by both sides.

Targeted Strikes to Prevent Hezbollah Rearmament

In a statement released late Sunday, the IDF emphasized the necessity of the operation, underscoring Israel’s commitment to neutralizing threats posed by Hezbollah’s ongoing military activities. “The IDF continues to act to remove any threat to the State of Israel and will operate to prevent any attempt by Hezbollah to rebuild its forces in accordance with the ceasefire understandings,” the statement declared.

The IDF also revealed that prior to the strikes, it had communicated its concerns via an international mechanism established as part of the ceasefire framework. However, these warnings were reportedly ignored by Hezbollah, prompting the precision airstrikes.

Ceasefire Under Threat

The timing of these strikes is particularly critical, coming just two weeks before the January 26 deadline for the full implementation of the November ceasefire. Under the terms of the agreement, Hezbollah is required to dismantle its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon and relocate its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border. However, Hezbollah has yet to fully comply, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), tasked with enforcing these terms, have been criticized for their lack of action.

Israeli officials remain skeptical about the LAF’s ability and willingness to confront Hezbollah, a sentiment echoed by declining support for the Shiite militant group within Lebanon’s parliament. Several lawmakers have recently voiced opposition to Hezbollah’s continued militarization, citing its destabilizing impact on the country’s fragile security and economic landscape.

UNIFIL’s Questionable Role

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has faced sharp criticism for its perceived failure to enforce previous ceasefire agreements. Tasked in 2006 to monitor and prevent Hezbollah’s activities south of the Litani River, UNIFIL has been accused of turning a blind eye to the group’s extensive military buildup. Over the past 18 years, Hezbollah has established a sophisticated network of tunnels, weapons caches, and missile launchers, often embedding them in civilian infrastructure under UNIFIL’s watch. The organization’s inaction has fueled doubts about its ability to oversee the current ceasefire effectively.

Adding to the controversy, UNIFIL recently accused Israel of violating the ceasefire resolution while remaining conspicuously silent on Hezbollah’s transgressions, including the group’s refusal to withdraw from prohibited areas.

Casualties and Fallout

Sunday’s airstrikes follow a deadly incident on Friday in which Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed five people. While the Lebanese health ministry attributed the fatalities to the Israeli military, the IDF clarified that it had targeted a Hezbollah weapons truck, underscoring the precision nature of its operations.

The escalation has further exposed the fragility of the ceasefire and heightened tensions in the region. With the January 26 deadline looming, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the violations and ensure that both sides adhere to their commitments. However, given the historical challenges of enforcing such agreements, the path to sustained peace remains uncertain.

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