Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon just one day after both nations agreed to extend the ceasefire for 45 days following talks in Washington. However, in practice, the ceasefire has never been fully observed.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that airstrikes targeted at least five villages in the south on Saturday. The same day, the Israeli army issued new forced evacuation orders for nine villages in southern Lebanon near Sidon and Nabatieh, including Qaaqaaiyet, al-Snoubar, Kaouthariyet al-Saiyad, al-Marwaniyah, al-Ghassaniyah, and others.
On Saturday morning, Israeli warplanes also attacked the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif in southern Lebanon, according to NNA. The towns of Kfar Tebnit and Arnoun, as well as the Arnoun-Kfar Tebnit road, came under heavy shelling. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted 'Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas in southern Lebanon.'
This development follows talks between Israeli and Lebanese envoys in Washington, which continued the first direct dialogues in decades between the two countries that have no diplomatic relations.
Hezbollah has opposed the negotiations, especially as Israeli forces continued to bomb southern Lebanon and occupy several areas since the ceasefire theoretically took effect on April 17.
The Lebanese negotiating delegation in Washington welcomed the 45-day extension of the ceasefire with Israel on Friday. Lebanon's president issued a statement: 'The extension of the ceasefire and the establishment of a U.S.-backed security channel provides the necessary time for the people, strengthens state institutions, and advances a political path toward long-term stability.'
Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitto, reporting from Tyre in southern Lebanon on Saturday, said: 'Today there was shelling in the east of the country, at Yohmor and Kherbet Qanafar. This shows that the ceasefire exists only in name. Just as the extended ceasefire agreement was announced on social media by the U.S. State Department, Israel simultaneously issued evacuation orders for two buildings in the city of Tyre.'
Mr. Hitto added: 'Unfortunately, for the people in southern Lebanon, the ceasefire announcement brings very little reassurance. People remain worried about further escalation, especially since Israel previously used the ceasefire period to escalate and increase attacks, and many are predicting a repeat.'
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,900 people in Lebanon since the war began, including more than 500 since the ceasefire took effect.
