Hezbollah fires at Israeli positions in response to ceasefire violations

Lebanon's Hezbollah on Monday claimed an attack on an Israeli position, the first since a ceasefire came into effect on Wednesday, which Israel had violated at least 52 times.

Hezbollah said in a statement it had launched two projectiles towards the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms.

The group described the response as "preliminary", stressing it does not intend to return to the all-out war with Israel, according to comments by a Hezbollah parliamentary source to The New Arab's Arabic language edition Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

"Hezbollah will not remain silent in the face of ongoing and blatant Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, including today's attack on the Lebanese army," the source said.

"[The group] delayed responding to the violations to avoid acting hastily, allowing the relevant authorities to address the issue," the source added, saying it was confirmed that the nature of the breaches by Israel had all fallen "outside" the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

At least 54 violations by Israel since ceasefire

Lebanon's parliamentary speaker, Nabih Berri, said at least 54 violations were recorded since Wednesday, killing five people and wounding at least four others. 

Lebanon has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the agreement, including UN Resolution 1701, saying it was awaiting the start of the work of the oversight committee to stop Israel's daily violations.

"Hezbollah has been committed to the agreement since day one, relying on Lebanese official authorities to put an end to these violations," the source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. "

The ceasefire, which came into force on Wednesday, sought to end a war that has killed thousands in Lebanon and sparked mass displacements across the country.

While the ceasefire had largely brought fighting to a halt and saw many displaced Lebanese people return to their homes, Israel has continued ground and aerial assaults, mostly in southern border areas but also strikes further north.

"The aggressive actions carried out by Israeli occupation forces...represent a flagrant violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement," said Berri, who had helped mediate the truce on behalf of ally Hezbollah.

One person killed in south Lebanon

Lebanon's health ministry said an Israeli strike had killed one person in the country's south on Monday, while the Lebanese army said an Israeli drone wounded a soldier in the east.

The official National News Agency said the person was killed in "a strike launched by an enemy drone... on a motorcycle" in the south Lebanon town of Marjayoun.

The Lebanese army in a statement said: "An enemy drone struck an army bulldozer at a position, injuring one soldier" in the country's eastern Hermel region on Monday.

The Israeli military said it was "aware of reports regarding a soldier from the Lebanese military who was injured in one of the strikes and the incident is under investigation".

Israel's army alleged it had responded to "several acts by Hezbollah in Lebanon that posed a threat to Israeli civilians in violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon".

Also Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in a call of the need for all sides to respect the ceasefire in Lebanon.

Under the truce, a committee involving France, UN peacekeepers, Israel, Lebanon and chaired by the United States is tasked with maintaining communication between various parties and ensuring violations are identified and dealt with to avoid any escalation.

Former Lebanese army UNIFIL coordinator, Brigadier General Munir Shahada, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the Israeli violations were a result of "domestic pressures" and attempts to "assert dominance" after the ceasefire agreement.

Shahada noted that Hezbollah's "restrained response" was ensuring the safety of returning displaced residents and exposed the "ineffectiveness of international assurances in stopping the Israeli aggression".

Regarding Israeli claims that Hezbollah was breaching the ceasefire, Shahada said the comments were "typical excuses to justify crimes and violations", pointing to Israel's ongoing military movements and demolitions in southern Lebanon villages under various excuses.