Israel Continues Attacks in Lebanon – Ceasefire Agreement Reached in Washington

A ceasefire has actually been in effect in Lebanon since April 17. Nevertheless, the Lebanese news agency NNA reported on Thursday about Israeli drone attacks on roads in several locations in southern Lebanon, which resulted in at least one fatality. The Israeli army, in turn, announced that an air alarm had been triggered in northern Israel.

Attacks Continue

In the first incident, an "enemy aircraft was detected in the Kfar Juval area." A second alarm in the Al-Aramshe area turned out to be a false alarm. The army stated that it continues to target Hezbollah positions.

Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that military operations in southern Lebanon would continue despite the agreement. The agreement with Lebanon grants the military "freedom" to attack Beirut if the Hezbollah militia attacks Israeli settlements, Katz emphasized. He added that operations in southern Lebanon would continue up to the "yellow line."

The so-called yellow line, designated by Israel, is located about ten kilometers deep into Lebanese territory. Within this boundary, the Israeli army has reportedly established a buffer zone and stationed troops. On Thursday, Israel renewed its evacuation order for the entire area south of the Sahrani River, which runs about 40 kilometers north of the border.

UN Soldier Killed

A UN peacekeeper was killed in a night attack on a UN base, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced. Two other UN peacekeepers were injured, it was further stated. According to the Ministry of Defense in Belgrade, the deceased is a citizen of Serbia.

The soldier "succumbed to the serious injuries he sustained when mortar shells hit his position" in the morning. He "received emergency medical treatment in a hospital at the base after his injury and was subsequently transported by helicopter to the University Hospital in Beirut, where he died," the ministry explained. He is the seventh UN peacekeeper to be killed since the conflict began in early March.

Political Reactions

Israel blamed Hezbollah for the attack on the UN base. The Lebanese army is not a party to the conflict. President Aoun said he was awaiting Hezbollah's response. However, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem was expected to make a statement in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Israel's far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the agreement reached in Washington a "big mistake." It is "an illusion created by advisors who mislead the Prime Minister into making wrong decisions," the minister wrote on X, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lebanon was drawn into the Iran war in early March. The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, called for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon. Israel's soldiers must "return to their positions from before the start of the war" at the end of February, he demanded.