Lead
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon remains fragile as fighting continues on the ground. Hours after the agreement was announced, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military will continue its ground operations in southern Lebanon and will not withdraw from the area, including the Beaufort Castle region. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, which was not party to the talks, has rejected the deal, describing it as a surrender agreement.
Coverage Comparison
Reporting from multiple outlets paints a consistent picture: the ceasefire, agreed after a fourth round of talks in Washington, is conditional on a complete halt of fire from Hezbollah and the creation of "pilot" security zones in Lebanon from which the Iran-aligned group's fighters would be banned. However, immediate actions on the ground suggest the truce is not yet holding.
The Guardian and RFI both report that Israel's Defense Minister ordered continued military operations, with Katz stating the IDF would "continue its fire and ground operations" and retain "freedom of action, with American backing, to strike in Beirut in response to fire on Israeli communities and territory." Deutsche Welle similarly notes ongoing fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, adding that Israeli flags have been flown over Fort Beaufort in southern Lebanon.
Al Jazeera's coverage emphasizes that both sides continued fighting after the truce announcement, while the BBC highlights Hezbollah's rejection of the agreement, quoting local residents in Beirut's southern suburbs who expressed skepticism about the deal's viability.
Key Claims
- Ceasefire agreement reached but not yet implemented: The US-brokered deal, announced Wednesday, is contingent on a complete cessation of fire by Hezbollah. It also includes the creation of "pilot" security zones in Lebanon from which Hezbollah operatives would be evacuated and banned.
- Israel to continue ground operations: Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF will remain in the security zone in Lebanon up to the Yellow Line, including the Beaufort area, and will continue dismantling "terrorist infrastructure." He also warned residents not to return to the area.
- Hezbollah rejects the deal: The group's leader, Naim Qassem, called the negotiations "futile" and "humiliating" for Lebanon, saying the ceasefire would amount to surrender and fulfill Israel's objectives.
- Continued strikes and casualties: Lebanon's National News Agency reported strikes on roads and vehicles in southern locations on Thursday, with several people wounded. Meanwhile, a German development minister's trip to Lebanon was cut short due to the deteriorating security situation.
- Casualty figures vary: According to Lebanese authorities, more than 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2, while the BBC reports over 3,526 killed since the start of the war. On the Israeli side, DW cites military figures: 24 soldiers and four civilians killed.
Perspectives
Israeli Perspective: Israel defends its continued operations as necessary to weaken and ultimately disarm Hezbollah, citing ongoing rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. Defense Minister Katz insists on having the freedom to strike in Beirut in response to attacks on Israeli communities.
Hezbollah's Perspective: The group, which was not part of the talks, views the ceasefire as a surrender that would achieve Israel's objectives. Local residents in Beirut's southern suburbs express disillusionment, with one storekeeper telling the BBC, "This is surrender. This is not a peace agreement. This is a surrender agreement."
International Observers: The US and Lebanon have framed the agreement as a step toward stability, with a joint statement saying the deal is contingent on a complete cessation of fire. However, experts quoted by Al Jazeera note that the situation remains tense and unpredictable, with the conflict far from resolved.