Israeli Forces Advance Deeper Into Southern Lebanon, Burning Homes

Sunday marks 33 days into the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. So far, Israel has committed at least 329 violations of that ceasefire, and officials are more and more open in saying they probably won’t withdraw from Lebanon in 60 days, as they were meant to under the deal.

The violations include airstrikes and gunfire in several areas across southern Lebanon, but the Marjayoun District seems to be the most serious focus in recent days. Israeli troops have invaded the towns of Qantara and Taybeh, and have begun burning civilian homes in both.

Israel started the new offensive last week, invading areas deeper than into Lebanon than they’d managed to occupy during the war. They hit Wadi al-Hujeir first and were expelling the civilian population with heavy machinegun fire. Wadi al-Hujeir is just west of the towns hit this weekend, pushing them closer to the Litani River.

The UNIFIL peacekeepers were told before this new offensive that they should keep patrols away from the Marjayoun District for their own safety. Israel has attacked UNIFIL sites and personnel multiple times during the war, and has consistently warned them away from their operations. This seems to be the first time they’re actively warning UNIFIL about offensive operations after the ceasefire.

Since the ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 33 people and wounded 37 others, mostly in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has largely not retaliated over the attacks, but Israel still accuses them of ceasefire violations. Those “violations” on the Lebanese side are largely civilians attempting to return to the parts of Lebanon that Israel continues to occupy militarily.

The Israeli violations, which more heavily are related to shooting at press and civilians, have been increasingly criticized, especially when combined with Israel’s talk of staying in Lebanon past the 60-day deadline.

Lebanon has also complained that Israel has been damaging farmland in the south during this latest offensive. Saplings provided by the World Food Programme and funded by the EU were destroyed during Israel’s recent raid on Wadi al-Hujeir. After Israel invaded the town, bulldozers were brought in to level the agriculture project. Lebanon’s Agriculture Ministry noted this was a violation of their sovereignty, but it appears to just be one of many in the ongoing offensive.