Xinhua, AP and Europa Press
La Jornada Newspaper
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, p. 22
Jerusalem. Hezbollah yesterday fired two projectiles towards an Israeli base near the Lebanese border, the first offensive since the ceasefire agreement came into force last week and after several Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon. In response, Tel Aviv launched dozens of bombings against suspected positions of the Shiite militia that is supported by Iran.
The Hezbollah attack targeted a disputed area at the junction of Lebanon, Syria and Israel, which the Israelis call Mount Dov and the Lebanese call Shebaa Farms. Both projectiles fell in open fields and caused no damage or injuries.
Hezbollah said the attack was a defensive response against Israeli military positions in Ruwaisat Alam. The area, under Israeli occupation and near Shebaa Farms, has long been a point of conflict.
The militia argued that it is retaliation for the constant Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Hours later, the Israeli army stated in a statement that attacked Hezbollah terrorists throughout Lebanon and demanded that relevant parties fulfill their responsibilities and prevent Hezbollah’s hostile activity.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that at least nine people were killed in Israeli bombings, in a preliminary assessment, after the official NNA news agency reported attacks in Jbaa”, about 20 kilometers from the border.
The truce, agreed on November 27, seeks to end the approximately 14-month confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hostilities, which began on October 8, 2023, escalated into an Israeli military operation in southern Lebanon. Both sides agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities; Israel must withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah must retreat north of the Litani River.
However, Tel Aviv has carried out several attacks near the border in response, it says, to alleged violations by Hezbollah. French diplomats reported yesterday that Israel violated the ceasefire on at least 52 occasions.
Meanwhile, United States officials, who together with France lead a commission monitoring the agreement, minimized the multiple Israeli attacks. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: the ceasefire holds.
Lebanese authorities assured that the majority of the 1.2 million displaced people returned with dignity to their homes.
