Hezbollah and Israel Ceasefire: Lebanon Deploys 10,000 Troops Amid Ongoing Tensions
On Wednesday, Lebanese Minister of Defense Maurice Sleem announced that the country’s armed forces will be deploying 10,000 soldiers to southern Lebanon, a region long dominated by Hezbollah. This move comes as part of the ceasefire agreement established between Hezbollah and Israel, which took effect in the early hours of the same day. The Lebanese troops will be stationed in areas where Hezbollah has launched attacks against Israeli targets, marking a significant shift in military dynamics in the region.
The U.S. has played a pivotal role in facilitating this ceasefire, with Israel insisting on guarantees regarding Lebanon’s commitment to keeping Hezbollah forces at bay. Failure to adhere to these conditions could potentially lead Israel to resume military operations on Lebanese soil.
In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut, particularly Haret Hreik, as tensions escalated. Following the ceasefire, Avichay Adraee, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), took to social media to caution Lebanese residents against returning to certain neighborhoods in southern Lebanon—regions that are identified as Hezbollah strongholds. He warned that the IDF is prepared to act aggressively if necessary.
Reports indicate that Israeli troops have advanced significantly into Lebanese territory, approaching the Litani River for the first time since the 2006 conflict. Sleem emphasized that only Lebanese soldiers and units from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) should occupy southern Lebanon moving forward.
As the ceasefire took hold, residents of Lebanon's southern suburbs began returning to their homes, many of which were left in ruins following weeks of aerial assaults. Since the onset of conflict triggered by Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, over 3,800 people have reportedly lost their lives in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Health. UN estimates suggest that nearly 900,000 Lebanese have been displaced due to the ongoing war.
The human cost of this conflict has also been reflected in Israel, where at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians have been reported killed as a result of the fighting. In a broader regional context, Iran's financial backing of Hezbollah remains a crucial factor, with the Iranian foreign ministry welcoming the ceasefire as reported by British site Shia News.
As Lebanon navigates the intricate repercussions of this ceasefire agreement, both militarily and humanitarianly, the focus turns to the future stability of the region and the commitments made by all involved parties. While the ceasefire may provide temporary relief, the underlying tensions between Hezbollah and Israel loom large, hinting at potential conflicts ahead.
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