Beirut: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday denounced Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, labeling them a 'full-fledged crime.' Israeli warplanes targeted several southern towns, issuing evacuation orders despite a ceasefire agreement established since November 2023.
According to Anadolu Agency, Aoun issued a statement from the presidency, criticizing Israel's actions as a 'heinous political crime.' He emphasized that the airstrikes violated international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting, terrorizing, and forcibly displacing civilians.
Aoun stated, "It also represents a heinous political crime. Every time Lebanon expresses openness to peaceful negotiations to resolve outstanding issues with Israel, the latter intensifies its aggression against Lebanese sovereignty, flaunts its disregard for UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and continues violating its obligations." He noted that Israel has persistently rejected any negotiated settlement with Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect nearly a year ago.
The Lebanese army echoed Aoun's condemnation, describing the Israeli attacks as an extension of the enemy's destructive approach aimed at destabilizing Lebanon, expanding devastation in the south, and prolonging the conflict to maintain a threat against the Lebanese people. The army highlighted that these assaults hinder the full deployment of its forces, as mandated by the cessation of hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
The Lebanese military reiterated its commitment to close coordination with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), emphasizing the strong partnership and high level of trust between the two sides.
The recent Israeli airstrikes followed the imposition of US Treasury sanctions on individuals accused of facilitating the transfer of funds from Iran to Hezbollah. Tensions in southern Lebanon have been escalating for weeks, with the Israeli army conducting near-daily air raids under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure, despite the ceasefire.
Israeli Channel 12 reported on Thursday that Tel Aviv is preparing for another potential round of fighting with Hezbollah. Since October 2023, the Israeli military actions have resulted in over 4,000 deaths and nearly 17,000 injuries in Lebanon, evolving into a full-scale offensive by September 2024.