Despite signing a ceasefire on 15 May, Israel significantly stepped up military strikes against targets in Lebanon this week, and carried out its first strike on the capital, Beirut, in nearly three weeks. There was also an uptick in attacks in southern Lebanon – where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are embattled against Iran-backed militia Hezbollah –with Israel carrying out bombings in Sidon, Tyre, and Nabatieh.
The 15 May ceasefire was a six-week extension to the ceasefire reached in April, which followed more than a month of heavy fighting (MEES, 17 April). However, while the agreement may have curbed the fighting, it has certainly not eliminated it. Daily Israeli strikes have continued, as have Hezbollah attacks on the IDF, which maintains a ‘buffer zone’ in Lebanon’s deep south. (CONTINUED - 609 WORDS)
