Israeli forces infiltrate Wadi al-Hujayr in S.Lebanon, sweep forests

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
26 Dec 2024 11:32
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In yet another violation of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces infiltrated the strategically sensitive Wadi al-Hujayr, a region that has been inaccessible to them during the war due to the Lebanese Resistance.

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Israeli tanks infiltrating Wadi al-Hujayr in south Lebanon, on December 26, 2024. (Social media platform X)

Israeli tanks and bulldozers advanced Thursday morning from the Taybeh Project toward the town of al-Qantara, then proceeded into Wadi al-Hujayr, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.

In parallel, the Lebanese Army closed the road leading to Wadi al-Hujayr, starting at its checkpoint near Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr. Meanwhile, Israeli Merkava tanks patrolled the area, while extensive sweeps of the surrounding forests were carried out.

#شاهد..قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي تواصل خرق اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار، وتتوغل في #وادي_الحجير، بالتزامن مع تمشيط كثيف لأحراجه، والجيش اللبناني يقفل الطريق المؤدية إلى المنطقة.#الميادين #الميادين_لبنان pic.twitter.com/ywoC76N1WR
— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) December 26, 2024

Our correspondent confirmed that residents of al-Qantara and Aadchit al-Qusayr fled toward al-Ghandouriyeh as Israeli occupation forces pushed deeper into the area.

She added that Israeli forces launched a series of machine gun bursts from al-Qantara toward Wadi al-Hujayr, while residents were fleeing the area.

On its part, the Lebanese Army Command said that "Israel" continues its persistent violations of the ceasefire agreement and assaults on Lebanon's sovereignty.

The army confirmed that Israeli forces advanced into several locations in the areas of al-Qantara, Aadchit al-Qusayr, and Wadi al-Hujayr in southern Lebanon, adding that it has reinforced its deployment in these areas, while it continues to monitor the situation in coordination with UNIFIL and the committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement reached with "Israel".

UNIFIL concerned about Israeli destruction in South Lebanon

In the same context, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stressed that "any actions that risk the fragile cessation of hostilities must cease."

In a statement, UNIFIL warned that there is concern about the continuing Israeli destruction in residential areas, agricultural land, and road networks in south Lebanon, coining such actions as a violation of Resolution 1701.

The force said that it continues to urge the timely withdrawal of the Israeli forces and deployment of the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon and the "full implementation of resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path toward peace."

The resolution states that Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be the only forces in South Lebanon, and also calls for Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanese territory.

"UNIFIL is working closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces as they accelerate recruitment efforts and redeploy troops to the south," the force confirmed.

In another violation of ceasefire, 'Israel' targets Lebanon's east

An Israeli airstrike targeted early Wednesday the Baalbek region in eastern Lebanon, Lebanon's state media reported, denouncing it as a breach of the November 27 ceasefire agreement between "Israel" and Hezbollah, which ended over one year of war.

According to Lebanon's National News Agency, the airstrike near the town of Taraya did not cause any injuries, labeling the Israeli assault as the "first breach of the ceasefire agreement" in the Baalbek region.

A committee comprising representatives from the United States, France, Lebanon, "Israel", and United Nations peacekeepers is responsible for monitoring the ceasefire and addressing any violations.

Lebanon has urged all parties, especially the United States and France, to persuade "Israel" to expedite its withdrawal from southern Lebanon as stipulated in the agreement.

Under the terms of the truce, the Lebanese Army and peacekeepers will be deployed in southern Lebanon while the Israeli military is set to withdraw over a 60-day period, culminating in January 2025.

A couple of days ago, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it "strongly urges accelerated progress" in the Israeli military's withdrawal from south Lebanon.

In a statement, the force called on "all actors to cease and refrain from violations of (Security Council) resolution 1701 and any actions that could jeopardise the fragile stability that currently prevails."

On December 11, the Lebanese Army confirmed that it had deployed around the city of Khiam, five kilometers from the border with occupied Palestine, in coordination with UNIFIL, following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area.

NNA reported on Monday that "the Israeli enemy continues its invasion and attacks on southern Lebanese territories," where it has "raised the Israeli flag" on a hill between the towns of al-Bayyada and Naqoura.