Izraelski napadi v južnem Libanonu: eden mrtev, več ranjenih

Israeli forces have continued their military operations in southern Lebanon, intensifying pressure on the region even as peace talks with Lebanese officials take place in Rome under U.S. mediation. On the night of July 30 into July 31, Israeli troops conducted large-scale demolitions near the fortress of Beaufort, triggering powerful shockwaves in the occupied south. The actions were reportedly carried out in response to alleged tunneling activities by Hezbollah, according to reports from French media outlet France 24. President Michel Aoun described these operations as “a direct threat” to ongoing negotiations. The recent escalation comes amid heightened tensions following a series of Israeli strikes in the area. On August 5, Israel announced aerial attacks targeting parts of southern Lebanon, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian militant group. According to the Lebanese National Information Agency (ANI), one person was killed and eleven others injured during an attack that targeted the roof of a prayer hall in the cemetery of Tebnine. This strike followed an Israeli order for residents of Al-Mansouri to evacuate immediately ahead of potential bombings. The town, located approximately nine kilometers south of Tyre and ten kilometers north of Israel, has been subjected to multiple Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire over the past weeks, despite the ceasefire established in June. Residents of Al-Mansouri had previously been allowed to return home after the municipality informed them they could do so while avoiding the “security zone” imposed by Israeli forces. This zone, stretching along the border for about ten kilometers, is meant to protect northern Israeli communities from threats emanating from Lebanon. However, the recent evacuations suggest renewed Israeli activity in the area, raising concerns among locals about safety and stability. Peace talks between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States, are currently underway in Rome. These discussions focus on the deployment of Lebanese forces in designated “pilot zones,” which have been vacated by Israeli troops. The pilot zones are part of broader efforts to establish lasting security arrangements between the two nations. In July, the Lebanese army regained control of the first such zone, Zawtar al-Gharbiya, and residents were permitted to return. A U.S. State Department official told AFP that current negotiations will address expanding the pilot zone framework, resolving pending border issues, and advancing toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of direct talks, stating that they would bring nothing but “shame, humiliation, and successive compromises.” The group has repeatedly rejected negotiations and refuses to disarm. It played a central role in escalating regional tensions earlier this year by launching rockets against Israeli territory in support of Iran, which has been a target of Israeli and American military campaigns. The conflict began in March when Hezbollah’s rocket attacks triggered a major Israeli military operation, resulting in more than 4,300 deaths in Lebanon and displacing over a million people. Hostilities eased following the signing of an Iranian-American protocol in June, which included a ceasefire in Lebanon and a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon backed by Washington. Despite this, Lebanon continues to report sporadic Israeli strikes and demolitions in southern villages, indicating that the situation remains volatile.