Israeli airstrikes targeted southern Lebanon on Thursday, reportedly striking Hezbollah weapons storage facilities. This military action follows the first direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives in decades, held one day prior.
Despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024, which was intended to halt over a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has continued its military operations in Lebanon. The Israeli military maintains a presence in five strategic areas of southern Lebanon, and has increased its strikes in recent weeks. This uptick in attacks was briefly alleviated during the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV, who urged for an end to hostilities and provided a temporary respite from airstrikes.
On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Forces announced the commencement of operations targeting Hezbollah, cautioning civilians in Mahrouna and Jbaa to evacuate before airstrikes began. Subsequent warnings were issued for potential strikes in the towns of Majadal and Baraasheet. The Lebanese National News Agency confirmed that Israeli warplanes conducted strikes in these areas, with visual confirmation of smoke rising from Jbaa.
Local officials reported extensive damage in civilian neighborhoods. Yassir Madi, a local official, emphasized that the airstrikes impacted a predominantly civilian area, noting, “There’s not a window within 300 meters that didn’t break. Everyone is living in shock.” The Israeli military, however, defended its actions by claiming that Hezbollah was using civilian areas as shields for its military operations, a charge that adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict.
The Lebanese government has publicly committed to disarming Hezbollah, a task that the militant group has firmly rejected. The continued presence of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon raises concerns among the populace about a potential escalation of military operations.
In a noteworthy development, civilian representatives from Lebanon and Israel engaged in surprise talks under the UN peacekeeping mechanisms in Naqura, a border town. This meeting included representatives from the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel, and the UN force, indicating a broader international interest in mitigating conflict in the region.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun announced that subsequent talks are scheduled for December 19, expressing optimism about the initial discussions, which he described as “positive.” He emphasized the importance of addressing issues through negotiation rather than military confrontation.
Despite the cautious optimism surrounding these discussions, both Lebanese and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, underscored that these dialogues did not equate to formal peace negotiations. Salam stressed that the focus is on implementing last year’s truce and addressing humanitarian issues, such as the release of hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
The U.S. has been pushing for Lebanon to accelerate the disarmament of Hezbollah and has facilitated direct dialogue between the two nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office indicated a positive tone during the talks, suggesting a desire to explore economic cooperation, yet underscored the essential need for Hezbollah’s disarmament irrespective of any economic agreements.
A spokesperson for the French foreign ministry expressed support for the talks, highlighting their importance in promoting de-escalation and long-term stability in the region. The participation of a U.S. envoy at the discussions further underscores the international community’s involvement in efforts to navigate the fragile relationship between Lebanon and Israel.
