New Israeli strikes in Lebanon put key elements of Iran peace deal at risk
Israel has launched a series of intense strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon following the group’s killing of four Israeli soldiers, which has raised questions about the US-Iran memorandum of understanding. Despite previous ceasefire agreements and a decline in violence reported by UN officials, recent hostilities have escalated, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order attacks on over 80 Hezbollah sites, including in the Bekaa Valley. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s commitment to respond decisively to Hezbollah’s violations and to maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon to safeguard northern settlements. Lebanese officials reported 18 deaths and 33 injuries due to the strikes, with heavy fighting in the city of Nabatieh marking the most intense conflict since the memorandum’s announcement. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strikes as a hazardous escalation threatening peace efforts, while Iran’s involvement and the potential collapse of the ceasefire agreements due to these hostilities have added to regional tensions. The situation remains volatile, with Israel planning to stay in the security zone to neutralize threats and prevent further aggression.
Israel launched an intense wave of strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon after the group killed four Israeli soldiers, bringing the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding into question.
Though the fighting in Lebanon never ended after the MOU was announced and signed, U.N. officials noted a steep decline in violence. That changed on Friday after Hezbollah strikes killed four Israeli soldiers, triggering a massive Israeli reaction and a new commitment to remain in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered strikes against over 80 Hezbollah targets, including Hezbollah headquarters in the Bekaa Valley.
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“Following the heinous attack by Hezbollah, which was a blatant violation of the ceasefire, I instructed the IDF last night to strike Hezbollah with full force,” he said in a statement.
“My directive is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks,” Netanyahu continued, adding that Israel “will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as required to protect the settlements in the north.”
Lebanese health officials said 18 people were killed and 33 others wounded in the strikes.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed Netanyahu’s remarks, and clarified that the Israel Defense Forces would remain in its newly-drawn “security zone,” which extends north of the Litani River.
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“We will not allow harm to our soldiers and civilians, and any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah will be met with great force,” he said.
“The IDF will remain in the security zone in Lebanon, from the seashore to the heights of Beaufort, in order to protect the northern settlements, thwart threats, and destroy the terror infrastructure in the area—below and above ground level,” Katz added.
Heavy overnight fighting was reported in the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, the highest intensity fighting since the MOU was announced.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced Israel’s strikes as a ”dangerous and reprehensible escalation,” saying it jeopardized peace efforts.
The strikes and renewed fighting bring into question the entire MOU, given Tehran’s insistence on including Lebanon in the ceasefire, and threatening the collapse of the deal if Israel doesn’t withdraw from Lebanon.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, and their allies in the current war, by signing this MOU, declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon,” the text read.
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