Israel targets several villages in southern Lebanon as assaults escalate

Israel's military has conducted air raids on at least three southern Lebanese townsMahrouna, Jbaa, and al-Majadeldespite a ceasefire that has been in effect since November 2024. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the strike on Jbaa on Thursday destroyed a residential building and caused severe damage to neighboring structures.

The attack on al-Majadel occurred approximately an hour after Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation orders for the town. In a social media post, Adraee shared maps highlighting several buildings in al-Majadel and Braashit as targets, instructing residents to move at least 300 meters away from the marked locations, which he claimed were being used by Hezbollah.

These strikes represent the latest breaches of the ceasefire agreement brokered between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, following a conflict that started in October 2023. Since the truce took effect, Israel has carried out near-daily attacks across Lebanon, reportedly killing over 300 people, including at least 127 civilians, according to the United Nations.

Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr highlighted the timing of Thursday's attacks, noting they came just a day after a significant development in Lebanon-Israel talks. Earlier this week, the two nations held their first direct discussions in decades aimed at expanding their peace agreement, although Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam later emphasized that the meetings were not a step toward full normalization.

Khodr noted, Previously, the ceasefire monitoring committee included only military representatives. Lebanon has now agreed to appoint a civilian representative. She added that the ongoing air strikes signal Israels stance that negotiations will continue under fire until Hezbollah is completely disarmed.

Lebanese military sources recorded 5,198 Israeli ceasefire violations, including 657 air raids, by the end of November. Israel asserts that its operations target Hezbollah personnel and infrastructure to prevent the group from rebuilding its military capabilities.

The ceasefire originally required both sides to stop hostilities, with Lebanon tasked to prevent attacks on Israel, while Israel was to cease offensive actions. Nevertheless, Israeli forces continue to hold at least five positions inside Lebanese territory, contrary to the agreement. Tensions rose after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a senior Hezbollah commander in late November, marking the first attack on the capital in months.

The UN human rights office has called for investigations into Israeli air strikes, warning of potential violations of international law, particularly following an attack on the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp near Sidon, which killed 11 children.

The conflict began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions in the Golan Heights in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Since then, over 4,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, primarily during intense fighting between September and November 2024, and more than 1.2 million have been displaced. Lebanon has faced international pressure, especially from Washington, to disarm Hezbollah, which the group has refused to do.

Analysis: Escalating Tensions Despite Ceasefire

The recent Israeli air raids on Mahrouna, Jbaa, and al-Majadel highlight a continued pattern of ceasefire violations. Despite the November 2024 truce, Israel’s operations target locations it claims are used by Hezbollah, resulting in civilian casualties and extensive property damage. The strike on Jbaa alone destroyed a residential building, while al-Majadel was attacked shortly after evacuation orders were issued.

These attacks coincide with renewed Lebanon-Israel talks, illustrating a contradiction between diplomatic efforts and ongoing military operations. While Lebanon has agreed to include a civilian representative in the ceasefire monitoring committee, Israel’s near-daily raids signal a strategy of maintaining pressure on Hezbollah until it is fully disarmed.

UN reports and Lebanese military records indicate thousands of ceasefire violations, including hundreds of air raids, demonstrating that the truce is effectively under constant strain. Civilian casualties, including children, have prompted international calls for investigations into potential violations of international law. The continuation of hostilities underscores the fragility of peace efforts and the complex challenge of balancing negotiations with security objectives in the region.

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• Israel hits multiple towns in southern Lebanon as attacks intensify