Tensions Rise As Israel Intensifies Violations in South Lebanon by Wounding, Abducting Citizens

Israeli forces deepened their incursions into southern Lebanon, targeting areas including Qantara, Adshit al-Qusayr, and Wadi al-Hujayr, the LAF reported in a statement on Thursday.

“The Israeli enemy continues to violate the ceasefire agreement, attack Lebanon's sovereignty and citizens, and destroy southern villages and towns,” the statement read.

It added that the Lebanese army has reinforced its presence in the affected areas and is coordinating with UNIFIL and the five-member committee overseeing the ceasefire under UN Resolution 1701.

Video footage showed Israeli troops and vehicles operating in Wadi al-Hujayr, where they reportedly advanced from the Taybeh project earlier in the day. Merkava tanks roamed the valley, supported by search operations in nearby forests.

During the operation, Israeli forces shot and abducted Hussam Fawaz, a Lebanese citizen, in Wadi al-Hujayr. He sustained a gunshot wound to the head but was later released through UNIFIL intervention and transported by the Lebanese army for medical care.

The incident follows an airstrike launched by Israel on December 25 in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, marking the first such attack since the ceasefire began. Hours later, Israeli troops reportedly fired on a UNIFIL and Lebanese Red Cross convoy and detonated homes in Mays al-Jabal, further inflaming the situation.

Israel has violated the ceasefire over 100 times since its implementation, the LAF claims. Violations include deadly airstrikes, arrests of Lebanese citizens, troop movements, and widespread destruction in southern villages. Israel claims these actions target Hezbollah infrastructure, though such measures fall under the Lebanese army's jurisdiction per the agreement.

Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad criticized the escalating violations, stating, "The incursion of Israeli enemy forces into Lebanese territory, reaching Wadi al-Hujayr, constitutes an extremely dangerous development. This behavior undermines the credibility of the committee supervising Resolution 1701."

Fayyad called for the Lebanese government and its allies to reassess the situation, condemning the “disastrous failure” of the US-led tripartite mechanism in preventing violations.

Israeli troops are required to withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days of the ceasefire’s announcement. So far, it has been four weeks, leaving only a month before the Israeli army must withdraw, according to the agreement. "The incursion of Israeli enemy forces into Lebanese territory, reaching Wadi al-Hujayr, constitutes an extremely dangerous development.

This incursion constitutes a serious threat to the announcement of the executive procedures for Resolution 1701 and undermines the weak credibility of the committee supervising its implementation,” Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad said on Thursday.

"This development shows Israeli behavior that is outside of any commitment or procedures, as if there is no understanding or commitment. This requires the Lebanese state, government, army and relevant parties to reassess the situation immediately," he added, calling for the US-led tripartite mechanism to oversee violation to be “reviewed” and condemning its “disastrous failure” to prevent Israeli violations.