Israel Targets Hezbollah Militant in Airstrike Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Israel’s military conducted an airstrike in southern Beirut targeting a Hezbollah militant, disrupting a fragile ceasefire. This operation aimed to eliminate a threat linked to Hamas. Hezbollah condemned the strikes, asserting they violate the ceasefire agreement, and Israel continues to maintain a military presence in the region despite planned withdrawals.

On Tuesday, Israel’s military confirmed an airstrike in a southern suburb of Beirut, focusing on a Hezbollah militant. This operation marks the second strike since a ceasefire took effect in November, thereby testing the ceasefire’s fragility further. The military asserted that the target was a Hezbollah operative involved in directing Hamas operatives towards a planned attack on Israeli civilians, effectively representing an imminent threat.

The Israeli government emphasized that its actions were necessary to neutralize potential dangers arising from Hezbollah’s activities in Dahieh, a known stronghold of the group. Notably, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled increased military action, remarking that Israel would respond aggressively to any perceived threat from Lebanon, especially following rocket fire that had previously elicited a response.

In reaction to the airstrike, Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem condemned the Israeli actions, stating, “This aggression must end. We cannot allow this to continue.” He refuted claims of Hezbollah’s involvement in the rocket fire that triggered Israel’s operation. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has persistently conducted strikes against what it terms Hezbollah military targets, allegedly in violation of the agreement established between the two parties.

The ceasefire had stipulated that Israel would withdraw its military presence from Lebanon by February 18, following an extension of a previously missed January deadline. Nonetheless, Israel continues to maintain troops in five locations deemed strategically significant, indicating a complicated and ongoing military dynamic in the region.

In summary, Israel’s recent airstrike on a Hezbollah militant in Beirut illustrates the ongoing tensions and fragile nature of the ceasefire established in November. The Israeli military’s actions underscore a commitment to counter threats perceived from Hezbollah, while the group’s leadership vocally opposes these strikes, calling for an end to the aggression. The situation highlights the intricate and volatile relationship between the two entities amid a backdrop of military engagement and strategic positioning in Lebanon.

Original Source: www.france24.com