Israel, Hezbollah In Deadliest Clashes Since Announcing Truce
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon blamed each other for the deadliest clashes since their ceasefire came into effect last week, adding to global fears that the region will remain embroiled in armed conflicts.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel accused Hezbollah of provoking the Israeli military, which announced it “struck Hezbollah terrorists, dozens of launchers, and terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon.”
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least nine people had been killed in Israeli strikes on the two southern towns of Haris and Talousa.
Arab sources said at least two people were killed by Israel, including a State Security officer, in separate attacks in the Nabatieh district of south Lebanon.
Israel confirmed it carried out the series of airstrikes in response to Hezbollah rocket fire near watchtowers in the Israeli-controlled Shebaa farms.
Hezbollah missiles reportedly landed in an open area and caused no injuries. However, Hezbollah stressed in a statement that the attack on the watchtowers was an “initial warning defensive response” against “repeated violations” by Israel of the ceasefire agreement.
The resumption of tit-for-tat strikes in south Lebanon and north Israel has caused concern that fully-fledged fighting between Hezbollah and Israel could resume just five days after their ceasefire deal was announced.
France, which was to supervise the implementation of the truce, reportedly accused Israel “of violating the ceasefire agreement 52 times.” Israel denied wrongdoing, saying it responded to provocations.
Yet, fighting has taken a heavy toll in Lebanon, with almost 4,000 people killed and more than 1 million people displaced in Israeli strikes provoked by Hezbollah, local authorities say.
The latest clashes came as people in south Lebanon began returning to their homes this week to start repairs in a region that suffered an estimated $8.5 billion in damages.
Witnesses said that following Hezbollah’s attacks, residents began fleeing Dahiyeh, the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah enjoys strong support as Netanyahu vowed to retaliate.
“We are tired; we can’t handle any more of this. People barely just got back to their homes,” said Ali, a resident of Beirut from Tyre, south Lebanon.
Similar sentiments were expressed in northern Israel, where at least 60,000 people were forced from their homes after relentless Hezbollah strikes.
And with explosions reported around Beirut and beyond, residents on both sides faced another turbulent night.
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