Beirut: With a temporary halt in fighting between Lebanon and Israel, Hezbollah has warned that it is prepared to launch a defensive strike if Israel violates the ceasefire.
The report says the wider backdrop includes an ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran. Hezbollah, described as an Iran-backed militant group operating from Lebanon, had earlier attacked Israel in opposition to the war, after which Israel intensified strikes on Lebanon.
Efforts to end the fighting included talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad, where Iran urged that attacks on Lebanon be included in any ceasefire. The discussions reportedly ran for 21 hours without an agreement, and US President Donald Trump later urged Lebanon and Israel to hold talks as the Lebanon-Israel front was seen as an obstacle to the Iran peace track.
Subsequently, Lebanon and Israel held talks in Washington and agreed to stop attacks and continue negotiations, announcing a 10-day ceasefire. In a statement cited in the report, Lebanon said its fighters were “keeping a finger on the trigger” and would respond if Israel breaches the deal, adding it does not trust Israel and claiming Israel has carried out 2,184 military attacks since the conflict began.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that actions against Hezbollah are not yet complete and that any violation would be met with renewed heavy strikes. Following the temporary ceasefire, thousands of displaced Lebanese reportedly returned to their homes.
