Breaking: Israeli Troops Advance in South Lebanon Despite Truce Deal

On the third day of a ceasefire that brought an end to over a year of conflict in Lebanon, Israeli forces made advances in southern border villages, moving into areas they had not occupied before the truce.

Four Israeli tanks and two bulldozers entered the Khiam area, and troops also moved toward Markaba’s town square. Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV reported that the Israeli forces were unable to breach the western neighborhoods of Khiam and Markaba’s town square during two months of direct confrontations with Hezbollah.

According to the TV channel, Israeli troops are now occupying the western parts of Khiam and are bulldozing, blocking roads, and uprooting olive trees in Markaba and Kfarkila. The report also indicated that Israeli forces reached Markaba’s town square, which they had been unable to enter during the earlier stages of the conflict, where they continued their actions of road destruction and cutting off access.

As part of the ceasefire agreement, which is based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, Hezbollah and Israeli forces are to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days, with the Lebanese military taking control in the region. The return of civilians to their homes and the overall pace of the withdrawal will depend on the successful implementation and enforcement of the deal by all parties involved.

An Israeli security official stated that the withdrawal would be gradual, emphasizing the need to ensure that the agreed-upon mechanisms are functioning properly.

Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities have accused Israel of violating the ceasefire multiple times by conducting airstrikes on Lebanon, continuing surveillance operations using warplanes and drones, and firing on Lebanese territory. There have also been reports of Israeli mortar attacks and other strikes that have injured civilians attempting to return to their homes in southern Lebanon.