Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon, Issues Forced Displacement Orders
The Israeli Air Raids
Israeli air raids across southern Lebanon have killed one person as attacks continue despite a United States-brokered “ceasefire”.
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that the person was killed in an Israeli air raid in the municipality of Maarakeh, in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon.
The Forced Displacement Orders
Israeli attacks at dawn have demolished homes and government buildings in southern Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil, the country’s NNA reports.
The Israeli military also ordered residents of 20 Lebanese towns and villages to leave their homes immediately and move “north of the Zahrani River”.
- Deir al-Zahrani
- al-Namirieh
- al-Sharquieh
- al-Dewayr
- Harouf
- Habboush
- Kfarjoz
- Zibdine (Nabatieh)
- Nabatieh al-Tahta
- Nabatieh al-Fawqa
- Kfar Rouman
- Al-Mahmoudieh
- Sajed (Jezzine)
- Reihan
- Aaramta
- Kfarchouba
- Mlki
- Al-Lawiza (Jezzine)
- Jarjouh
- Arab Salim
The Impact on the Ceasefire
The attacks come after an announcement by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday that the United States and Iran have agreed on the wording of an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East, and that mediators were working with both sides to finalise a deal.
Iranian media report the initial agreement would declare an end to the war “on all fronts, including Lebanon”.
This has led to fears that Israel’s actions in Lebanon could scupper a deal, since Israel is not a party to the negotiations between the US and Iran, and its leaders have said they do not plan to withdraw from Lebanon.
The Future Outlook
The next round of talks between the two countries is expected on June 22, with a view towards reaching a comprehensive agreement.