Israel Says Airstrikes Targeted Hezbollah Arms Smuggling In Lebanon
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Israel’s military announced on Saturday that it had carried out airstrikes targeting what it claimed were Hezbollah military infrastructure sites used for smuggling weapons from Syria into Lebanon. The strikes, conducted on the border between Syria and Lebanon, were described as a response to violations of the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.
“The air force launched strikes on military infrastructure sites adjacent to the border crossing between Syria and Lebanon that are actively used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons from Syria to Lebanon,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
The Israeli military asserted that the weapons smuggling occurred “after the ceasefire agreement came into effect.”
In addition to the airstrikes, the IDF also reported that they had conducted searches in southern Lebanon over the past day, resulting in the seizure of weapons hidden inside a mosque by Hezbollah.
Ceasefire Agreement and Reappearance of Tension
The ceasefire, aimed at halting cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, came into effect last Wednesday morning. As part of the agreement, the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers would be deployed in southern Lebanon, while the Israeli army would withdraw from the region for a period of 60 days. Furthermore, Hezbollah was expected to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border and dismantle its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
Despite these provisions, Israel has insisted on maintaining “complete freedom of military action” in Lebanon should Hezbollah violate the ceasefire agreement or attempt to re-arm.
True to their word, Israel has carried out several attacks in Lebanon since last Wednesday, raising concerns about the fragility of the ceasefire and the potential for renewed escalation of violence.
What are the potential consequences of Hezbollah’s response to the airstrikes on the fragile ceasefire agreement?
## Interview: Israeli Airstrikes on Hezbollah Targets
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Sarah El-Masri, a Middle East expert at the Institute for International Studies, to discuss the recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Dr. El-Masri, Israel says these strikes targeted Hezbollah arms smuggling infrastructure. Can you elaborate on the situation?
**Dr. El-Masri:** Yes, the Israeli military announced these airstrikes on Saturday, claiming they targeted Hezbollah military facilities involved in smuggling arms. Now, it’s important to remember that Israel and Hezbollah have a long and complex history of conflict, marked by recurring escalations. [ [1](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cnvjl42g9m1t) ]This recent development follows a period of relative calm after a ceasefire agreement brokered by the UN.
**Host:** How do you think Hezbollah will respond to these airstrikes, considering the recent ceasefire?
**Dr. El-Masri:**
It’s difficult to predict Hezbollah’s response with certainty. They may choose to retaliate, possibly through rocket attacks into Israel, escalating the tension once again. Alternatively, they might exercise restraint, seeking to avoid jeopardizing the fragile ceasefire. However, it’s crucial to understand that Hezbollah is deeply entrenched in Lebanon, and any action taken by Israel is likely to have significant repercussions for the entire region.
**Host:** What is the international community’s stance on these recent events?
**Dr. El-Masri:** The international community has generally called for restraint from both sides, urging a return to the ceasefire agreement and emphasizing the need for dialog to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict. The UN has been actively involved in mediation efforts and will likely play a key role in mitigating the fallout from these airstrikes.
**Host:** Dr. El-Masri, thank you for providing such valuable insight into this complex situation. This is certainly a story that we will continue to follow closely.
