Israeli attacks kill 2 in southern Lebanon despite ongoing Washington talks | Israel attacks Lebanon News
Israeli Defense Minister States Troops Will Remain in Southern Lebanon Despite Reduced Attacks
An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals on Wednesday, occurring amidst a period of decreased hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. This reduction follows calls for a ceasefire from both the United States and Iran.
The drone strike targeted a vehicle on the Tallat al-Dabsha road near Kfar Reman, as reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). Subsequently, Israeli military forces shelled areas on the outskirts of Yater in the Bint Jbeil region.
These actions mark a continuation of military operations that violate a renewed ceasefire agreed upon last week, aimed at de-escalating tensions following discussions between the U.S. and Iran.
The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted Hezbollah operatives. Ongoing issues surrounding Israel’s presence in Lebanon remain a contentious topic, with Lebanese officials insisting on the necessity of Israeli troop withdrawal for a sustained ceasefire. Israel has declared it will only withdraw once Hezbollah is fully disarmed.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military would not comply with any American demands for withdrawal. He specifically noted that 200,000 residents would not be returning, referencing those displaced from southern Lebanon. “In the past, when there was a civilian population, roadside bombs and attacks against our soldiers occurred, and therefore we will not allow that. We are not withdrawing,” Katz emphasized.
Al Jazeera correspondent Heidi Pett, reporting from Tyre, Lebanon, remarked that while Israeli military activity has diminished, it has not ceased entirely. “The Israeli military has continued to carry out operations, though they have been much more limited than the violence that we saw over the weekend,” she said.
Despite the ongoing threats of violence, many individuals from southern Lebanon are returning. The mayor of Abbasiyeh, a town near Tyre, indicated that approximately 80 percent of residents have come back in recent days, as essential services such as water and electricity have been reestablished. However, this level of infrastructure is not consistent across all areas.
Additionally, Al Jazeera reporter Rosiland Jordan, speaking from Washington, D.C., noted that the latest round of talks between Israel and Lebanon may include military aspects. There is a proposal for Lebanese forces to replace the Israeli military, provided they are vetted by the United States to ensure no connections to Hezbollah.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed a visiting British delegation that his government intends to deploy the Lebanese army to the south following an Israeli military withdrawal. Aoun also mentioned plans for reconstruction in affected areas, clarifying that the ongoing Lebanon-Israel discussions in Washington are separate from U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Hezbollah has condemned the ongoing talks in Washington, insisting that the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon must precede any further discussions.
