The Israeli army committed 15 new violations of the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon on Thursday (30 January), bringing the total number of breaches to 823 since the agreement took effect 66 days ago. The violations primarily took place in the areas of Marjayoun, Bint Jbeil, Hasbaya, and Tyre. Among the attacks, two civilians were injured when an Israeli drone dropped a bomb near their motorcycle, and a Lebanese Civil Defence rescue team was targeted while searching for missing people under rubble. These actions, along with house demolitions and bulldozing operations, have raised concerns over the fragile ceasefire’s stability.
In addition to the drone attacks, Israeli forces carried out flare bombings, artillery strikes, and demolitions of buildings in various villages across southern Lebanon. They also set fire to a chicken farm in Deir Mimas and targeted civilians inspecting their farms in Bint Jbeil. These actions reflect a continuing escalation of tensions despite the ongoing ceasefire, which was extended by the United States until February 18, 2025. This extension followed a 60-day deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal that passed on Sunday.
The ceasefire, which ended the fierce shelling between Israel and Hezbollah that started in September 2023, has not brought peace to the region. Since the conflict began, over 4,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, including many civilians, and more than 16,000 have been injured. Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military continues its operations against Hezbollah targets, including missile facilities and smuggling routes, while Hezbollah has launched surveillance drones into Israeli airspace, claiming the drones are not a breach of the ceasefire.
As the violence continues, Israel has reported more than 100 casualties in southern Lebanon due to ongoing strikes, and local health authorities have documented at least 26 deaths and 221 injuries from Israeli gunfire. Tensions between Israel and Lebanon remain high, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations. The ongoing instability suggests that the situation remains volatile, with a peaceful resolution still uncertain as both parties remain on alert.
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