Beirut, Lebanon – In a military escalation that threatens to unravel the fragile understandings, the Israeli army announced on Thursday that it had killed more than 220 members of the Lebanese group Hezbollah since the ceasefire went into effect on April 17. It also indicated that it had intensified its military operations during the past week despite ongoing diplomatic efforts in Washington.
Eliminating leaders and targeting “infrastructure”
The Israeli military spokesperson stated in an official statement that more than 85 of the dead were killed in the past seven days alone. He also noted the assassination of the commander of the Radwan Force, Ahmed Ghaleb Balout, in an airstrike carried out on Wednesday. The statement added that Israeli forces attacked more than 180 targets, which they claimed were “military infrastructure.” These targets included command centers and weapons depots in various locations throughout southern Lebanon.
However, videos released by the Israeli army itself showed that the targets it described as “military” were merely civilian homes and residential buildings. This was confirmed by the official Lebanese news agency, which reported that three people were killed and a fourth wounded since dawn on Thursday in airstrikes targeting 16 southern towns.
A truce at the mercy of “self-defense”
These attacks come amid daily violations of the ceasefire, which is supposed to last until May 17. Israel is exploiting a clause in the ceasefire agreement that grants it what it claims is the “right to self-defense” against any imminent attacks. It is therefore justifying its systematic bombing and the demolition of homes in border villages.
Since the start of the large-scale Israeli offensive on March 2, official Lebanese statistics have recorded 2,715 deaths and 8,353 injuries, in addition to the displacement of more than 1.6 million people, equivalent to one-fifth of Lebanon’s population. With the Israeli occupation of border areas extending up to 10 kilometers deep, hopes remain pinned on the third round of talks scheduled to be held in Washington next week. This follows two previous rounds held on April 14 and 23, intended as a prelude to the anticipated peace negotiations.
