An Israeli strike in Sidon, Lebanon, killed one person on February 17, 2025, just before a truce deadline with Hizbollah. The Lebanese President urged sponsors to pressure Israel to withdraw troops, while ongoing conflicts heighten tensions. The ceasefire agreement necessitates coordinated withdrawals, although signs suggest a possible extension of Israeli control in the area.
On February 17, 2025, Lebanese official media reported that an Israeli strike in Sidon, Lebanon, resulted in the death of one individual, occurring just before a truce deadline. This operation coincided with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s appeal for pressure on Israel to withdraw its forces by the due date. Firefighters extinguished the fire resulting from the attack, allowing for the recovery of a body from the targeted vehicle, which is currently under investigation to confirm the identity of the deceased.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah has been in effect since November 27, following over a year of conflict that included a two-month war involving significant ground operations by Israel. The agreement mandated that the Lebanese military would work alongside United Nations peacekeepers in the south, while the Israeli army was to withdraw gradually, a process initially scheduled to conclude by February 18 but under scrutiny for future compliance.
President Aoun emphasized the need for sponsors of the ceasefire to ensure Israel adheres to its commitments, including the release of prisoners. “We are continuing contacts on several levels to push Israel to respect the agreement and to withdraw on the scheduled date,” he stated. Meanwhile, Hizbollah leader Naim Qassem asserted that it is the responsibility of the Lebanese government to ensure Israeli compliance by the agreed deadline.
Moreover, on February 17, Israeli strikes reportedly targeted Hizbollah positions, in addition to a separate incident where Israeli gunfire resulted in the death of a woman in Hula. Last week, an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon led to two fatalities after another attack was conducted against a senior Hizbollah militant, intensifying the tensions prior to the truce.
Karim Bitar, a lecturer at Sciences-Po university in Paris, suggested that a tacit agreement involving the United States may be facilitating an extended withdrawal period for Israeli forces. He speculated that Israel is likely to maintain control over strategic areas in Southern Lebanon despite the purported troop withdrawals. Ramzi Kaiss from Human Rights Watch articulated concerns over the impact of Israeli military actions, stating that the destruction of civilian infrastructure is rendering it increasingly difficult for many residents to return to their homes.
In conclusion, the recent Israeli strike in Sidon has exacerbated tensions on the eve of a crucial ceasefire deadline between Israel and Hizbollah. The ongoing conflict and military actions hinder peace efforts and complicate the return of displaced residents, as President Aoun and others push for adherence to the ceasefire agreement. The situation remains precarious, with potential extensions of the Israeli military presence in the region amid calls for international intervention.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
