Israeli strikes hit south Lebanon days after Washington agreement
Lebanon’s state news agency reported new Israeli attacks as both sides disputed a US-brokered framework meant to end the war.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Israel carried out new attacks in southern Lebanon on Sunday, two days after a US-brokered framework agreement was signed in Washington to end the war, Al Jazeera reported. The strikes underscored immediate pressure on a deal already rejected by Hezbollah and criticized by far-right figures in Israel.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported a series of Israeli attacks in the south. The Lebanese Ministry of Health said one person was killed in an Israeli attack on Saturday, the first reported death since the agreement was signed, according to Al Jazeera.
NNA also reported Israeli drones over Baalbek in northeastern Lebanon and warplanes conducting what residents described as a mock raid over nearby highlands. Israel said its forces were targeting Hezbollah members near the buffer zone held by Israeli troops inside Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.
The Israeli military said one of its soldiers was killed in combat in southern Lebanon and identified him as Captain David Hazutt, 21, a platoon commander in the Golani Brigade. The military said a second soldier was lightly wounded, and that Israel’s military chief had approved continued operations in the zone as consistent with the ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported.
Agreement faces resistance on both sides
The framework was signed Friday in Washington after five rounds of talks, according to Al Jazeera. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it cautiously as “the beginning of the beginning.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement “historic” and “a massive blow to Iran and Hezbollah” on Sunday, Al Jazeera reported. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said at the time of the signing that the agreement “aims to achieve Israel’s withdrawal from all Lebanese territories.”
Al Jazeera reported that the text appears to tie an Israeli pullback to the disarmament of Hezbollah rather than require an unconditional withdrawal. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Saturday that Israeli forces were preparing for an extended stay in the buffer zone and would remain while Hezbollah kept its weapons.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the agreement Saturday, calling it “humiliating” and “a surrender of sovereignty,” according to Al Jazeera. He said Hezbollah fighters would not leave the battlefield.
Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah member of parliament, said Sunday that any Lebanese army effort to enforce the agreement would push the country toward internal conflict, Al Jazeera reported. Supporters of the group protested in Beirut against the deal.
In Israel, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the agreement gave Hezbollah a “lifeline” and rejected the idea that Lebanon’s army could disarm the group, according to Al Jazeera. He said he had opposed the framework in cabinet for weeks and would keep doing so.
War began after strikes tied to Iran
The war began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes, according to Al Jazeera. Israel responded with heavy air attacks and a ground invasion.
More than 4,200 people have been killed in Lebanon since then, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, according to Al Jazeera. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Washington should force Israel to stop its strikes and withdraw from areas it occupies in Lebanon, citing a separate understanding he said binds Israel and the United States.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.