Fragile Peace at Risk: Ceasefire Strains Under Continued Violations

Three days after the ceasefire agreement went into effect, violations have been reported in southern Lebanon on Friday, with an artillery shell landing in the town of Khiyam and sporadic gunfire from Israeli forces on Friday.

The situation on the ground remains volatile, fueling fears of escalating hostilities.

In Khiyam, Israeli forces reportedly fired on residents attending the funeral of a local villager. Similar incidents were recorded in Aytaroun, where machine-gun fire was directed toward the town. Later in the day, four Israeli tanks advanced into the Khiyam's western neighborhood—an area they had not entered during prior confrontations.

Images shared by a reporter for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV revealed the Israeli army’s further encroachment into the southern town of Khiyam, with the channel's reporter saying that "Israeli tanks and bulldozers have extended their reach toward the cemetery and one of the western neighborhoods of Khiyam, carrying out demolition and excavation operations in areas they could not enter during the conflict, taking advantage of the ceasefire to achieve this." 

Additionally, Israeli forces allegedly demolished a sports field in Kfarkila.

Further violations were documented by the National News Agency, which reported that an Israeli Merkava tank shelled a house in the outskirts of Burj al-Muluk, specifically in the Tall Nahas area. Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers were seen uprooting olive trees near the Al-Abara area, adjacent to the separation wall in Kfarkila.

Villages across the districts of Tyre and Bint Jbeil remain on high alert. Residents attempting to return to their homes face significant obstacles, as Israeli forces block access with artillery fire and drone strikes. A strict curfew has also been imposed south of the Litani River, prohibiting movement between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Two people were injured at the entrance to Bint Jbeil due to Israeli gunfire, adding to the mounting casualties in the region.

Israeli fighter jets and drones continue to dominate the skies over the western and central sectors, heightening the anxiety of residents.

Meanwhile, civil defense teams, health responders, and members of the Islamic Health Authority are engaged in recovery efforts following the recent hostilities. Bodies of victims are still being retrieved from the rubble in several frontline villages, underscoring the severe humanitarian toll of the conflict.

Moreover, the Israeli army said it carried out a drone strike against a medium-range Hezbollah rocket launcher in southern Lebanon, after the military had identified activity and movement of the truck-mounted launcher.

“The Israeli army is deployed in southern Lebanon and operating to remove threats that threaten Israel and are violations of the ceasefire agreement,” the military reiterated in a statement. 

As ceasefire violations persist, Israel’s security establishment is reportedly evaluating the likelihood of a renewed war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to a report by Ynet, the probability of resumption is estimated at 50%. This assessment has influenced the Israeli government's decision to delay the return of tens of thousands of displaced northern residents.

“The more the rules and their enforcement are clear from the get-go, the better they will hold up later,” an unnamed Israeli army officer said, highlighting the fragility of the ceasefire and the necessity for decisive enforcement measures.