Lebanese president condemns Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon that killed two people and injured eight, calling them a violation of the ceasefire agreement and a potential trigger for further conflict.
In a statement from Lebanon’s presidency, Aoun described the attacks as “a continued assault on Lebanon” and warned they were an attempt to “drag Lebanon into the cycle of violence once again.” He urged authorities, including the Lebanese military and a five-member committee overseeing the US- and French-mediated truce between Israel and Hezbollah, to take immediate action to prevent further escalation.
The President directed Army Commander Rodolphe Haikal to investigate the strikes, protect civilians, and maintain national security. He also called for restraint to safeguard Lebanon’s national interests.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the rising tensions.
“We strongly urge all parties to refrain from actions that could jeopardize the fragile stability,” UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said, warning that further escalation could have severe consequences, according to Xinhua news agency. UN peacekeepers are patrolling the region to help de-escalate the situation.
Israel claimed responsibility for the airstrikes, saying they were in retaliation for rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. The Iran-backed Hezbollah group denied involvement.
The strikes come amid growing tensions over the US- and French-mediated ceasefire, which took effect on November 27, 2024, halting over a year of hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict. Under the agreement, Israel was to withdraw from disputed Lebanese territory, but it continues to hold five border posts beyond the February 18 deadline.
