On the evening of Monday, December 2, Hezbollah fired two rockets as part of a “defensive warning” operation after Israel continued to violate the ceasefire agreement between the two after it went into effect in the early hours of Wednesday, November 27.
The rockets landed in open areas in the Lebanese Shebaa Farms, near Israeli military bases.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, continues to hold this Monday as per the Pentagon, bringing a pause to the hostilities that began on October 8, 2023.
Early Monday, Israeli forces fired machine guns at homes in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, and warned residents of 62 southern towns against returning. On Sunday, 11 violations were reported, while Saturday saw 24 breaches, based on Israeli military statements and reports from Lebanon’s National News Agency and others.
Anadolu Agency estimates that these Israeli violations bring the total to at least 74 since the ceasefire came into effect.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported on Thursday that its air force targeted a Hezbollah facility used for storing mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon.
It also claimed to have fired on “suspects” arriving in vehicles at several locations within the southern zone, describing these actions as responses to alleged breaches of the truce with Hezbollah.
Although the full terms of the ceasefire agreement remain undisclosed, President Biden has emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed a strong response to any violations.
Following Hezbollah’s attack on Monday evening, Netanyahu vowed that Israel will continue to enforce the ceasefire agreement and will respond to Hezbollah’s attacks “whether minor or serious.” These comments were echoed by Israeli Defense Minister Katz.
Various members of Lebanon’s political elite have commented on the ceasefire violations, including lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri who described the violations as “outrageous.”
The US and France, who are part of the ceasefire committee, both warned Israel against these violations.
The Lebanese army announced on Thursday that it is investigating Israel’s ceasefire violations and preparing a report on the matter, to be presented to the UN Security Council.
A breakdown of Israel’s ceasefire violations in Lebanon
Israeli forces have launched a series of attacks across southern Lebanon, targeting multiple towns and districts since the ceasefire agreement went into effect on Wednesday, according to Anadolu Agency.
In the Marjayoun district, a drone strike on Rab El Thalathine killed two people and injured two others, accompanied by artillery fire on the town and the Taybeh Project, a water station in Taybeh.
Artillery and machine-gun fire in Marjayoun City blocked residents from returning to their homes, while nearby towns like Bani Haiyyan, Markaba, and Khiam were also targeted. In these areas, Israeli forces wounded three people and two journalists, one by gunfire and the other by shelling.
In Bint Jbeil, Israeli forces entered Aytaroun, where they set fire to a car, crushed others with a Merkava tank, and temporarily trapped families until the Red Cross intervened. Soldiers also raised barricades, destroyed roads, and fired on the central government building in Bint Jbeil, blocking residents from returning.
Israeli soldiers blocked several roads in Marj al-Abd and destroyed roads in al-Mtayt. In Chaqra, residents reported an Israeli airstrike, followed by intermittent artillery shelling.
The Tyre district saw a drone strike on a car in Majdal Zoun, injuring three people, including a child. In Sidon, two airstrikes on Tibneh injured one person.
In Baalbek, Israeli drones flew at low altitude over the city and nearby towns.
Late Saturday, a drone also flew over Beirut and its southern suburbs, marking the first such flight since the ceasefire, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The flight of the drone was suspected to be as a result of a candlelight vigil held for slain Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Israeli claims of targeting “threats” in Lebanon
The Israeli army, on the other hand, has claimed to have targeted four sites in southern and central Lebanon, alleging they posed a “threat” to Israel, according to multiple media agencies.
These included an airstrike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon, which Israel said was transporting military equipment. There was also an attack on individuals at a building, where weapons were reportedly found.
Additionally, Israeli warplanes bombed “rocket platforms” in Sidon, and a drone targeted a military vehicle allegedly linked to Hezbollah’s missile production.
On Thursday, Israeli forces opened fire on people in a car, labeling them “suspects” and claiming they violated the ceasefire. Hezbollah, however, stated that Israel attacked civilians trying to return home.
Israel has issued a restricted zone map, warning civilians to avoid areas with active troop deployments, where it retains full control until a gradual withdrawal occurs. However, according to an Al Jazeera analysis, this map is not part of the ceasefire agreement.
When Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah was asked about Hezbollah’s response to the Israeli violations, he was cautious, telling reporters, “We don’t want to rush things,” while emphasizing Hezbollah’s right to self-defense. Experts told Al Jazeera that retaliation would be too damaging for the people of Lebanon.
The ceasefire includes a two-month truce, requiring Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces to return to their side of the border, with a buffer zone to be patrolled by Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers.
According to Lebanese health authorities, Israeli attacks in Lebanon since October last year have resulted in over 3,960 deaths, more than 16,500 injuries, and over 1 million people displaced.