The Israeli army announced on Saturday that it had established a “red line” demarcation in southern Lebanon, similar to the one in Gaza, and had carried out strikes against suspects approaching its troops despite a ceasefire.
“Over the past 24 hours, forces south of the red line in southern Lebanon have detected terrorists violating the ceasefire arrangements and approaching the forces from areas north of the red line in a manner posing an immediate threat,” said a military statement, mentioning the “red line” for the first time.
“Immediately after their identification, and in order to eliminate this threat, the Air Force and ground forces attacked the terrorists in several areas of southern Lebanon,” the statement added, also referring to “artillery fire (Israeli) to support ground forces operating in the area.”
A ceasefire has been in place since Friday between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, who had attacked the neighboring country on March 2 in retaliation for the Israeli-American attack on Iran.
In its statement, the Israeli army declared that it is “authorized to take necessary measures for legitimate defense against threats (…) defensive and threat-neutralization actions not being limited during the ceasefire period.”
In another statement, the army said it had eliminated a “terrorist cell” operating near its troops in the south.
During a visit to this part of the country where Hezbollah is heavily present, Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal reviewed the troops at the Kfar Dounine headquarters, while the government tries to assert its authority as the sole legal holder of weapons.
Kfar Dounine is located about four km from where a French soldier was killed on Saturday in an ambush against peacekeepers, attributed to Hezbollah, which has denied involvement.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to a ten-day ceasefire.
“Israel will no longer bomb Lebanon. They are FORBIDDEN to do so on behalf of the United States. Enough!!!” declared U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have reportedly led to over 2,300 deaths since March 2, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
On the Israeli side, the war with Hezbollah has resulted in three deaths, in addition to 13 soldiers killed in combat in southern Lebanon.
In Gaza, the “red line” refers to the demarcation line between the zone controlled by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and that held by the Israeli army (which represents over 50% of the small territory) after Israeli troops withdrew as part of the very fragile ceasefire in effect since October.
AFP
