Israel attacks cause destruction in 39 Lebanese settlements since start of ceasefire

Lead

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon took effect on April 17, following an agreement between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with US President Donald Trump acting as mediator. However, the truce has been marred by continued violence and destruction, with reports of Israeli strikes and widespread damage in southern Lebanese settlements.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the ceasefire and its aftermath has varied in emphasis. The BBC focused on the first two days of the truce, describing a barrier set up by the Lebanese army to prevent residents from returning to their homes in the border town of Khiam, where loud explosions were still heard in areas partly under Israeli occupation. BBC also quoted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declaring that his country was entering a new phase that could turn the temporary ceasefire into a permanent peace settlement.

Russian state news agency TASS, citing Lebanese sources, reported more extensively on ceasefire violations and destruction. One TASS article, quoting Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), said Israeli artillery targeted Khiam, with five projectiles falling in the town, and also struck an ambulance crew near the southern town of Quneitra, resulting in casualties. Another TASS report, citing Reuters and Lebanese lawmaker Ali Hassan Khalil, alleged that Israeli military operations had caused destruction in 39 settlements since the ceasefire began.

Key Claims

• A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on April 17, according to multiple sources. The agreement was reached by President Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu, with President Trump as mediator.
• The Lebanese army set up a barrier to stop residents from returning to their homes in Khiam, as reported by BBC. Loud explosions continued in towns partly under Israeli occupation.
• TASS, citing NNA, reported that Israeli artillery targeted Khiam, with five projectiles falling in the town, and that strikes hit an ambulance crew near Quneitra, causing casualties. These claims have not been independently verified.
• TASS, citing Reuters and lawmaker Ali Hassan Khalil, reported destruction in 39 settlements in southern Lebanon since the ceasefire, with civilian homes destroyed in powerful explosions. Khalil described this as "a clear war crime," a characterization not echoed by other sources.
• Israeli Army Spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted a map warning residents of 55 settlements, located four to ten kilometers from the border, not to return until further notice, according to TASS. This was explained as a response to Hezbollah's "terrorist activities."

Perspectives

Israeli perspective: The Israeli military has maintained positions in southern Lebanon, citing the need to counter Hezbollah's terrorist activities. The military has warned residents of settlements within 10 km of the border to stay away "until further notice." No official Israeli response to the alleged strikes or destruction has been reported in the covered sources.

Lebanese perspective: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called the ceasefire a new phase and expressed hope it could lead to a permanent peace settlement. Lebanese officials, including lawmaker Ali Hassan Khalil, have accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and committing war crimes by destroying civilian homes.

International perspective: The ceasefire was mediated by the US, with President Trump credited for brokering the deal. It is seen as a first step toward negotiations for a long-term agreement between Lebanon and Israel.