Israel defies agreement between US and Iran and attacks southern Lebanon again

Less than 24 hours after the announcement of the agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war that began in February, Israel once again attacked southern Lebanon and called into question one of the central points of the understanding negotiated between Washington and Tehran.

According to the Lebanese state agency NNA, Israeli forces carried out drone attacks, artillery shelling and explosions in different locations in the south of the country this Monday morning (15).

An Israeli drone struck a vehicle in the city of Kfar Tebnit. The Lebanese press reported injuries. Israeli artillery also shelled Kfar Tebnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa.

Other attacks were recorded in Khiam, Haris, Markaba and Majdal Zoun. According to reports published by regional vehicles, the Israeli Army also detonated an armored vehicle loaded with explosives on a road near the city of Tire.

The actions occurred despite the memorandum of understanding announced by the United States, Iran and Pakistan, which provides for the immediate and permanent end of military operations on all fronts of the conflict, including Lebanon.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the final text of the negotiations establishes an end to war and military operations across the region. The document should be officially signed in Switzerland on the 19th.

During the negotiations, Tehran insisted that the situation in Lebanon could not be treated separately from the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The interruption of Israeli attacks became one of the central demands presented by Iranian diplomacy.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, stated that it is up to the United States to guarantee the implementation of the agreement and ensure the end of Israeli aggression against Lebanese territory.

The continuation of the attacks puts immediate pressure on Washington.

The understanding announced by the White House was presented as a milestone to end the regional war, but the Israeli offensive indicates that one of the United States’ main allies is not willing to fully follow the negotiated terms.

According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by the clauses relating to Lebanon present in the agreement signed between Washington and Tehran.

The declaration reinforces the differences between the governments of the United States and Israel that had already emerged during the negotiations.

While Washington sought an understanding that would allow it to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Netanyahu government insisted on maintaining freedom of military action in Lebanese territory.

Lebanese authorities welcomed the agreement. The President of Parliament, Nabih Berri, classified as fundamental the inclusion of a clause that demands the end of Israeli aggression and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

For the population of southern Lebanon, however, the announcement has not yet produced concrete effects.

While thousands of families await safe conditions to return to areas hit by war, Monday’s bombings demonstrate that the implementation of the agreement will depend on the United States’ ability to impose compliance on Israel as well.