Israel-Lebanon ceasefire: Blasts reported in south Lebanon
Lebanon’s state news agency reported Israeli attacks in two southern areas as talks continue over a US-brokered security framework.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
New blasts in southern Lebanon have put the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire framework back under scrutiny, after Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Israeli attacks on Friday in al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun.
The agency said the Israeli army attacked the town of al-Mansouri and carried out explosions in nearby Majdal Zoun. Local reports cited by Al Jazeera said the Majdal Zoun blast could be heard in Tyre, more than 15 kilometres, or nine miles, away.
Al Jazeera reported that strikes and demolitions have become a regular feature in southern Lebanon even as Lebanese and Israeli officials hold talks on a United States-brokered framework meant to end the fighting. The next round of talks is scheduled for August 4 in Italy, according to Al Jazeera.
What is in the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal?
The framework agreement was signed in Washington on June 26, according to Al Jazeera. It calls for the Lebanese army to take over Israeli-occupied areas in southern Lebanon if Hezbollah is disarmed.
The deal does not set a withdrawal deadline, Al Jazeera reported. Instead, it identifies two “pilot zones” where the Lebanese military is supposed to gradually assume full security responsibility.
The Lebanese army deployed this week to villages in the first pilot zone, according to Al Jazeera. Residents returning to Froun and Ghandouriyeh said Israeli forces had not occupied their villages and argued that Israel had not returned any territory, Al Jazeera reported.
Ambulance strike and village demolitions
On Thursday, an Israeli strike hit an ambulance in Nabatieh al-Fawqa and wounded two medics, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The ministry described the attack as a “flagrant violation of international and humanitarian laws and norms.”
Al Jazeera reported that Israel has been levelling villages near the border. It said Israeli officials have openly described an aim of removing Lebanese towns to create a “security zone.”
Israel says its operations are meant to stop Hezbollah attacks into northern Israel, according to Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reported that Israel occupies nearly a fifth of Lebanese territory and has killed more than 4,000 people since fighting began on March 2.
Al Jazeera compared the demolitions in Lebanon with Israeli tactics in Gaza, where it reported that a ceasefire has not stopped the military’s campaign to destroy parts of the territory. Rights advocates say Israel’s policies in Gaza are intended to make the strip uninhabitable, according to Al Jazeera.
Trump says Israel is redeploying
US President Donald Trump met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House earlier this week and promised to “help” Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.
Asked whether there would be a timeline for Israel’s withdrawal, Trump said: “They’re in the process of doing that. They’re in the process of redeploying [to] other sections.”
Hezbollah has rejected the Washington agreement, Al Jazeera reported. Its leader, Naim Qassem, called the deal “null and void” and urged armed resistance to force Israel out of Lebanon.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.