France accuses Israel of violating Lebanon truce 52 times: Report
Israel’s Ynet News is reporting that France has accused the Israeli military of violating its ceasefire deal with Hezbollah 52 times, including an attack on Saturday that killed three Lebanese civilians.
The Israeli military has justified the attacks, claiming they were in response to violations by Hezbollah.
But Ynet News, citing French officials, said Israel had acted without consulting the international committee tasked with monitoring the deal’s compliance.
“The Lebanese are fully committed to maintaining the cease-fire and preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing its presence in southern Lebanon, but they must be given time to prove themselves,” it quoted a French official as saying.
Israeli officials defended their actions, however, claiming the international monitoring committee would not be fully operational before Monday or Tuesday, and said they would continue attacks until then.
Israeli forces fire at houses in south Lebanon
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) is reporting that Israeli forces opened fire using machineguns at houses in the town of Naqoura.
The incident was the latest in a series of Israeli attacks since a ceasefire with Hezbollah went into effect on Wednesday.
French defence minister expected in Beirut: Reports
Lebanon’s Annahar and Aljoumhouria newspapers are reporting that French Defence Minister Sebastian Lecornu is expected to visit Beirut in the coming hours to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lecornu will hold meetings with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri, Defence Minister Maurice Salim and army chief General Joseph Aoun during his visit, according to Aljoumhouria.
The visit comes amid growing concern in Lebanon over repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which came into effect on Wednesday.
Lebanese official asks truce committee to oblige Israel to stop breaches
Parliament speaker Nabih Berri also asks the committee supervising the ceasefire with Israel to urge it to withdraw from the Lebanese territory, according to a statement by his office on Facebook.
Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah started implementing the ceasefire last Wednesday as part of a deal for a 60-day cessation of more than a year of hostilities.
The two sides have accused each other of breaching the truce.
Israel again warns people in Lebanon against returning to homes in south
Israeli forces have again warned people in Lebanon against travelling south in their country, saying they are “prohibited” from returning to their homes.
“I remind you that until further notice, you are prohibited from moving south to the line of the following villages and their surroundings: Shebaa, al-Habbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Chaqra, Baraachit, Yater, Al-Mansouri,” Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X.
“Anyone who moves south of this line – puts himself in danger,” he added.
Adraee also listed more than 60 villages that he said people are “prohibited” from returning to. Israeli forces do “not intend to target you and therefore you are prohibited at this stage from returning to your homes from this line south until further notice”, he said.
