Arabic version: إسرائيل تستأنف الغارات الجوية على لبنان بعد أيام من اتفاق السلام

Israel has resumed air strikes on southern Lebanon, only two days after signing a US-brokered agreement meant to end its war with the country. The strikes occurred on Sunday, following the signing of the framework in Washington after five rounds of talks.

According to Al Jazeera, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that one person was killed in an Israeli attack, marking the first death since the deal was signed. Israeli aircraft were also active, with reports of drones flying over Baalbek and warplanes staging what residents described as a mock raid over nearby highlands.

The Israeli military stated that the operations were targeting members of Hezbollah near the buffer zone. Additionally, the Israeli military confirmed the death of Captain David Hazutt, a 21-year-old platoon commander in the Golani Brigade, during combat in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as “historic” and a massive blow to Iran and Hezbollah. However, tensions remain high, as both Hezbollah and far-right Israeli factions have rejected the deal, raising immediate doubts over whether it can hold. Hezbollah’s leadership has expressed strong opposition, calling the agreement humiliating and a surrender of sovereignty.

The agreement, which was cautiously characterized by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “the beginning of the beginning,” does not mandate Israel’s unconditional withdrawal from Lebanon. Instead, it links any pullback to the disarmament of Hezbollah, a condition that has been met with resistance from both sides. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that Israeli forces are preparing for an extended stay in the buffer zone until Hezbollah disarms.