Ceasefire on Paper, War in the Air: Israel Signals No Pullback in Lebanon
Despite the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal that hinges on Hezbollah stopping attacks, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that they won’t pull back anytime soon. They plan to keep hitting targets in Lebanon. This war flared up again in March after the U.S. and Israel hit Iran. Over 1.2 million people have fled their homes, and a recent attack killed a UN peacekeeper near Marjayoun.
President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati see this as Lebanon’s last shot at peace and eventually getting rid of Hezbollah. But Naim Qassem, the Hezbollah chief, fired back saying they’ll hit Northern Israel if the attacks don’t stop.
Under the deal, the Lebanese Army would be alone in charge of some areas. Still, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli far-right National Security Minister, isn’t happy about it. Katz insists they'll still get approval from the U.S. to strike at targets in Beirut too.








