IDF Enforces Ceasefire in Lebanon Amid Ongoing Violations Accusations

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Sunday that it continues to enforce the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, responding to Hezbollah’s violations by launching airstrikes and conducting targeted operations. The ceasefire, agreed to last week, aims to halt over a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israeli forces having until late January 2025 to withdraw from southern Lebanon as per the 60-day truce.

Early Sunday, Israeli jets conducted an airstrike over the southern Lebanese village of Yaroun, while IDF artillery shelled other border towns and villages under Israeli control. The Lebanese National News Agency reported the incidents, though neither the IDF nor Hezbollah commented on them directly.

Later that night, the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade engaged a group of armed Hezbollah operatives near a church in southern Lebanon, a site previously used by the terror group. The soldiers eliminated the operatives, who were reportedly involved in Hezbollah's ground defense and artillery operations. After the attack, IDF troops discovered a weapons storage tunnel beneath the church.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s commitment to “resolutely enforcing the ceasefire,” emphasizing that any violations would be met with an immediate response.

France Accuses Israel of Violations

While the IDF is focusing on Hezbollah’s violations, France has reportedly accused Israel of 52 ceasefire violations. French diplomatic sources claim that while Israel is responding to Hezbollah's actions, it has failed to report the Lebanese group’s transgressions to the international oversight body as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the Lebanese military also accused Israel of violating the truce with ongoing airstrikes and overflights. The ceasefire agreement calls for Hezbollah’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with Lebanese and UNIFIL forces taking control of the area. Israel is to retreat into northern Israel, with Lebanese troops assuming responsibility for security.

The Ceasefire Agreement and Its Challenges

The ceasefire seeks to bring an end to the 14-month conflict that began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched unprovoked attacks on Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza. The attacks forced the evacuation of 60,000 residents in northern Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes and escalating the conflict.

Hezbollah’s ongoing assaults on Israel have claimed the lives of 45 Israeli civilians, with 76 IDF soldiers killed in skirmishes and attacks along the border. On the other side, Israel has confirmed the deaths of 2,500 Hezbollah fighters, with estimates suggesting the number could be closer to 3,500. Over 3,800 Lebanese casualties have been reported since the conflict's escalation.

As the ceasefire continues, tensions remain high with accusations from both sides regarding violations. While Israel seeks to ensure the security of its northern borders, it faces criticism for its actions in southern Lebanon and its handling of the ceasefire terms. The situation remains delicate, with the international community closely monitoring the developments.