Illustrative image.
Hezbollah on June 23 accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by opening fire on a “group of civilians” near the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.
In a statement ,the group said that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted a “group of civilians… who were working to clear roads and recover the bodies of martyrs from beneath the rubble.”
From its side, the IDF claimed that its troops struck a group of Hezbollah fighters who “posed a threat” near the strategic Ali al-Taher Height. The military also published a photo it said shows one of the fighters.
Click to see full-size image. (Israeli Defense Forces)
Lebanese media reported that at least two people were killed by Israeli fire close to Ali al-Taher, and several others were wounded.
Hezbollah said in its statement it “warns that what the enemy has done constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire, which [Hezbollah] has adhered to until now.”
Despite the warning, the IDF later announced that its troops opened fire on four Hezbollah fighters who crossed into the so-called “security zone” in southern Lebanon.
According to the military, Israeli troops spotted four Hezbollah fighters riding in a bulldozer and on a motorcycle into the security zone near Ali al-Taher “in a manner that posed an immediate threat.” After identifying the fighters, troops fired warning shots toward them.
“After the operatives continued to approach and did not respond to the forces’ calls, additional fire was carried out in order to remove the threat,” the military said, adding that at least one was hit.
The recent incidents came despite reports from a day earlier suggesting that the IDF was withdrawing from areas close to Ali al-Taher.
The IDF launched an offensive last week to capture the strategic height, where a massive underground base of Hezbollah is reportedly located. The group, however, thwarted all advancing attempts, killing five Israeli troops, including a commanding officer.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir showed no willingness to de-escalate in Lebanon after a call on June 23 morning, which also included Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo
“The IDF will continue to act decisively to thwart threats to our soldiers and civilians, destroy terror infrastructure, and continue maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon,” Netanyahu, Katz, and Zamir said in a joint statement.
“The prime minister, the defense minister and the chief of staff clarified that the security of Israel’s civilians and IDF troops will continue to remain before their eyes without compromise,” they added.
All in all, the recent incidents indicate that Israel is not planning to withdraw from southern Lebanon, not even on a limited scale. It won’t be even surprising if the IDF launched a new offensive in the direction of Ali al-Taher in the coming days or weeks.
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