BEIRUT — A U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework between Israel and Lebanon remained largely in place on Tuesday despite continued military incidents and mutual accusations of violations, according to Lebanese and Israeli officials, highlighting the fragility of efforts to reduce hostilities along the border.
The ceasefire arrangement was announced last week following negotiations in Washington involving U.S., Lebanese and Israeli representatives. Under the agreement, implementation of a ceasefire was conditioned on a complete cessation of fire by the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Hezbollah operatives from areas south of the Litani River, according to a joint statement released after the talks.
Since the agreement was announced, however, violence has continued in parts of southern Lebanon. Israeli forces have carried out strikes that the military said were aimed at Hezbollah positions and infrastructure, while Lebanese authorities have reported casualties and damage from attacks in areas near the border. Security sources and Lebanese state media reported additional Israeli strikes in recent days.
Israel has maintained that military operations remain necessary because Hezbollah has not accepted the ceasefire terms. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on June 4 that Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon for the time being and would respond to security threats.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, rejected the agreement. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem described the terms as unacceptable and said the group would continue resisting what it considers Israeli occupation. Reuters reported that Hezbollah was not a party to the Washington negotiations and has refused to endorse the framework.
Lebanese officials have expressed support for efforts to preserve the ceasefire while pursuing a broader diplomatic settlement. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Sunday urged Israel to pursue negotiations rather than continued military action, saying Lebanon remained willing to engage in talks under U.S. mediation. “Military efforts will not achieve long-term security,” Aoun said in remarks reported by Reuters.
Lebanon has also accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Israel had conducted thousands of airstrikes and hundreds of demolitions since the truce took effect in April, according to comments released by his office. Israel has not accepted Lebanon’s characterization of those operations and has said its actions are directed against Hezbollah targets.
International actors have continued to call for restraint. The European Union on June 6 described the ceasefire as an opportunity to end the conflict and urged all parties to comply with its terms. The EU also called for Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon and for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory.
As of June 9, the ceasefire framework remained formally in effect, although clashes and military operations continued in parts of southern Lebanon, and details of any broader long-term settlement remained unclear.
