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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday evening, targeting Hezbollah positions. The strikes came in response to the firing of two mortars by Hezbollah into the Mount Dov area, a disputed zone near the Israel-Lebanon border. The IDF confirmed the strikes and stated that further details would be provided.
IDF: Initial Report – The #IDF is currently striking #Hezbollah terror targets in #Lebanon. #FAFOpic.twitter.com/KagPrP9tv2
— Amanda🎗️ (@Amanda43754106) December 2, 2024
🚨BREAKING: ISRAEL STRIKES HEZBOLLAH TARGETS IN BEKAA, LEBANONThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it is conducting strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.Reports indicate attacks deep in the Bekaa region, far from the Israeli border.Tensions between Israel and… https://t.co/xgvBTgWPS8pic.twitter.com/9htG7ksXlt
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 2, 2024
Hezbollah's First Attack Since Ceasefire
The truce deal reached between Israel and the terrorist organization last week was violated for the first time by Hezbollah’s mortar firing. The United States mediated the truce, which sought to put an end to more than a year of cross-border fighting, Ynet News reported.
The two rockets were fired into Mount Dov, also called Shebaa Farms, a disputed area where Syria, Lebanon, and Israel share boundaries. Since the mortars fell in broad spaces, the Israeli military reported no injuries.
Hezbollah said in a statement that the bombing was a “defensive and warning response” to what it said were persistent ceasefire violations by Israel. The organization stated diplomatic protests to ceasefire mediators had not produced any results and accused Israel of violating the agreement more than fifty times in the last several days, according to Ynet News.
IDF Responds With Force
Hezbollah’s strike was seen as a dangerous escalation by the IDF. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, denounced the mortar fire as a serious breach of the truce. He promised severe action and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to maintaining the truce while reacting to any violations in a public declaration, as per The Indian Express.
ירי חיזבאללה אל הר דב מהווה הפרה חמורה של הפסקת האש, וישראל תגיב על כך בעוצמה.אנחנו נחושים להמשיך לאכוף את הפסקת האש, ולהגיב על כל הפרה של חיזבאללה – קלה כבחמורה.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 2, 2024
The IDF warned citizens of more than 60 southern Lebanon villages and towns after the Mount Dov incident. The potential for heightened military activities in the area was indicated by the advice given to civilians not to go back to their houses, said The Greater Kashmir.
Continued Cross-Border Tensions
Both parties have occasionally broken the ceasefire deal, which went into force on November 27. Israel has launched many strikes in Lebanon, since the agreement went into effect, while Hezbollah has continued to launch sporadic attacks over the border, the Times of Israel reported. Despite almost daily clashes, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the truce was “largely holding.” While acknowledging the continued strikes, Kirby told reporters on Air Force One that there was a considerable decrease in hostilities compared to the time before the truce, according to The Times of Israel.