Israeli Drone Strike in Khiam Raises Tensions Post-Withdrawal

Following Israel’s withdrawal from Khiam, a drone strike killed one and injured two in southern Lebanon. The LAF warned citizens to avoid the area as they prepared for civilian access. Despite international oversight, Israel’s military actions continue to provoke tensions with Hezbollah, complicating the fragile ceasefire established following the UN resolution.

On December 12, following the Israeli military’s withdrawal from Khiam, a drone strike conducted by Israel resulted in one fatality and two injuries in southern Lebanon’s Khiam. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), this drone attack occurred as the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) initiated debris clearance in anticipation of civilian access. The LAF subsequently cautioned the populace to refrain from entering the town until official clearance was granted.

The Israeli exit from Khiam transpired just a day earlier, and, as part of an ongoing withdrawal plan, Israeli forces remain stationed in various locations throughout south Lebanon with a commitment to fully vacate the country within 60 days, subsequent to the ceasefire that commenced on November 27. Per the stipulations of UN Resolution 1701, Lebanese troops are tasked with dismantling all Hezbollah infrastructure positioned south of the Litani River, while the influx of arms into Lebanon is expressly prohibited.

Despite the establishment of a tripartite mechanism, guided by the United States and involving France and the UNIFIL, to oversee compliance, Israel has faced no repercussions for the numerous airstrikes executed against Lebanon since the ceasefire was established. Recent Israeli incursions have drawn retaliatory responses from Hezbollah, including limited rocket attacks, which triggered a series of Israeli air raids in southern Lebanon.

Israeli operations on December 10 resulted in further casualties, with attacks targeting emergency response teams engaged in recovery efforts. Earlier in December, strikes in the towns of Marjayoun and Beit Lif claimed multiple lives and injured several others. Despite these ongoing violations, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem expressed the group’s commitment to facilitating the ceasefire’s success, indicating a desire for restraint in the wake of Israeli provocations.

The situation in southern Lebanon has been marked by ongoing tensions between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Following Israel’s exit from the town of Khiam, the region remains volatile due to potential retaliatory actions by Hezbollah in response to Israeli airstrikes. Additionally, the United Nations Resolution 1701 aimed to establish a framework for peace and security in the region, mandating the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and prohibiting the entry of arms into Lebanon. Despite these measures, the implementation of the ceasefire remains challenged by continuous violations and aggressive military actions.

The recent drone strike by Israel in Khiam, following a military withdrawal, underscores the fragility of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces’ ongoing military operations have elicited responses from Hezbollah, raising alarming concerns regarding regional stability. The international community’s oversight through the tripartite mechanism highlights an urgent need for accountability to foster a durable peace, as violations by Israel continue to disrupt the fragile agreement established post-ceasefire.

Original Source: thecradle.co