Lebanon’s government has accused Israel of deliberately destroying homes and civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon, describing the actions as a serious violation of international and humanitarian law.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Israel’s attacks, military incursions, demolitions and systematic destruction of homes were unacceptable and violated international legal principles.
Salam also rejected Israel’s claim that villages destroyed in southern Lebanon were being used as military sites. He said the justification could not be used to destroy homes, displace residents and prevent them from returning.
His comments came shortly after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz visited southern Lebanon and said Israeli forces were destroying underground infrastructure and homes in the area.
Katz also said Israeli troops would remain in occupied areas of Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, despite ongoing ceasefire arrangements.
The latest escalation comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli forces have continued carrying out attacks and maintaining positions in parts of southern Lebanon.
On August 5, Israel launched strikes on Mansouri after accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire in an incident that killed two Israeli soldiers near Majdal Zoun. The Israeli military subsequently ordered residents of Mansouri to evacuate.
Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for the attack that killed the Israeli soldiers and has not publicly addressed the incident.
Fragile Ceasefire
The conflict involving Lebanon intensified after Hezbollah launched attacks on northern Israel on March 2, following the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran.
A US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah began on April 17, but Israeli military operations and territorial occupation in southern Lebanon have continued.
Under a framework agreement reached in Washington in June, Israeli forces were expected to gradually withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory as the Lebanese army deployed to take over security responsibilities. The arrangement also included provisions concerning Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Lebanon and Israel have since held seven rounds of US-mediated negotiations, including meetings in Washington and Rome.
Lebanese authorities say Israeli strikes and ground operations since March have killed 4,333 people and displaced more than one million, equivalent to roughly one-fifth of Lebanon’s population.
Meanwhile, two US senators have proposed a $1.2 billion security assistance package for Lebanon over five years, with part of the funding linked to progress toward establishing the Lebanese state’s monopoly over weapons and Hezbollah’s disarmament.
The continuing dispute over Israeli military positions and Hezbollah’s weapons remains a major obstacle to lasting stability in southern Lebanon.
Tags
World News