Israel’s Airstrike on South Beirut Provokes Lebanese Appeals for Ceasefire Enforcement

Israel launched a strike on southern Beirut, the third since a fragile ceasefire, leading Lebanese President Aoun to appeal to France and the U.S. for intervention. The strike targeted a Hezbollah-related facility, prompting Israeli officials to commit to preventing Hezbollah from gaining strength in the city. Meanwhile, Aoun condemned the attack, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities. The UN has also urged restraint to maintain stability in the region.

On Sunday, Israel conducted a strike in south Beirut, marking the third such incident since the ceasefire established on November 27. This operation prompted criticism from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who urged France and the United States to intervene and enforce a halt to Israeli attacks. Israeli officials maintained that the target was a building associated with Hezbollah, allegedly storing precision-guided missiles, claiming that they will not allow the group to use Beirut’s southern suburbs as a sanctuary.

Reports indicated that billowing smoke emerged from the attack site in Hadath, as local broadcasters showcased images of the resulting fire. Notably, the Israeli military had previously cautioned residents to leave the heavily populated area, identifying specific buildings close to Hezbollah facilities that needed evacuation. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee emphasized the risks to civilians to ensure their safety ahead of the strike.

In response to the attack, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office declared Israel’s unstoppable determination to diminish Hezbollah’s influence, stating that the Dahiyeh neighborhood in Beirut could not act as a refuge for the militant organization. The latest Israeli statement claimed that the weapons storage posed a blatant violation of the ceasefire terms set between Israel and Lebanon.

Amidst heightened tensions, President Aoun labeled the strike a violation of the ceasefire agreement and called on its guarantors to take immediate action against Israel’s military aggressions. He urged the United States and France to fulfill their duties to safeguard the truce. The UN’s special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, joined the calls for restraint, highlighting the potential for escalated violence in the already fragile region.

The recent Israeli strike on south Beirut illustrates the ongoing volatility following the November 27 ceasefire. Despite assurances from both Israel and Lebanese leadership, tensions remain high, with civilian safety being increasingly compromised amid military actions. Observers, including UN representatives, call for immediate peace efforts to preserve the fragile stability in the region as both nations grapple with the threats posed by Hezbollah. The situation continues to evolve, demanding urgent attention from international mediators to avert further escalation.

Original Source: gulfnews.com