Germany Heavy attacks ahead of expected ceasefire in Lebanon

Shortly before a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, Israel's military and the Hezbollah militia have continued their mutual attacks. Israel's air force flew heavy attacks on targets in the heart of the capital Beirut and in the suburbs. The Hezbollah militia also continued to fire rockets at Israel from Lebanon. After more than a year of war, the Israeli cabinet was expected to approve a 60-day ceasefire this evening.

An Israeli official spoke of the possibility in the "Times of Israel". The German Press Agency learned from government circles that the cabinet's approval of the agreement negotiated under US mediation was "likely". Lebanese government sources in Beirut also expressed optimism. The decision lies with Israel.

Israeli attacks in Beirut: at least seven dead

Prior to this, however, the Israeli air force intensified its attacks. According to the army, they are primarily intended to weaken Hezbollah's ability to recover from the strikes of recent months, rearm and reorganize.

A building in the center of Beirut was attacked, as reported by eyewitnesses and security circles. According to the Ministry of Health, at least seven people were killed and at least 37 injured. Israel's military had not previously issued a warning.

In the suburbs known as Dahija, a stronghold of the Hezbollah militia, Israel launched a massive attack. Eyewitnesses reported one of the heaviest waves of attacks since the escalation of the war between Hezbollah and Israel. Parts of the suburbs were in flames. An Israeli military spokesman issued warnings for around 20 buildings in Dahija.

The Israeli army announced that 20 "terror targets" had been attacked in the Beirut area, including 13 in Dahija. These included a Hezbollah air defence center, command and intelligence centers, ammunition depots and financial facilities of the pro-Iranian militia.

Agreement on ceasefire expected for 60 days

The communications director of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, had previously said that an agreement on a ceasefire was close. It was moving in the right direction. "But it's not done yet", said Kirby. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock saw a ceasefire "within reach", as she said at the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers in Italy. The German government had worked intensively on this with "closely coordinated shuttle diplomacy".

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Lebanese officials, that the agreement envisages a 60-day implementation period to allow Israel's military to withdraw. At the same time, the Lebanese army would be stationed in the border area with Israel to prevent Hezbollah fighters from regaining a foothold there. An international commission is to monitor compliance with the agreement together with the UN peacekeeping force Unifil, which has been stationed in Lebanon for years.

Minister: Violations of ceasefire would be severely punished

Even after a ceasefire, Israel intends to take tough action in the event of violations by the militia. "We will take action against any threat, anytime and anywhere," said Defense Minister Israel Katz at a meeting with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, according to his office: against any house that is newly converted into a terrorist base, against any rearmament of Hezbollah and against any attempt to smuggle weapons.

According to the military, Israeli ground troops reached the symbolic Litani River during their advance in the south of Lebanon. As part of the expected ceasefire, Israel wants Hezbollah to permanently withdraw behind the river, 30 kilometers from the border - as stipulated by UN Resolution 1701, which marked the end of the last war in 2006.

Hezbollah attacks in Israel: At least one house hit

The Hezbollah militia again fired rockets at Israel. Security regulations were tightened in northern Israel and schools in some areas were to remain closed due to fears of increased rocket fire. In Kiriat Shmona, near the border, a house was directly hit and damaged, as reported by Israeli media. There were initially no reports of casualties.

According to its own statements, the Iranian-financed Hezbollah wanted to use the attacks to force an end to the Israeli offensive against the Islamist terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas and allied groups had carried out massacres in Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage. The attack triggered the Gaza war, which has been going on for more than a year. Since then, Hezbollah, which is allied with Hamas, has fired more than 17,000 rockets at Israel, according to a statement from the army.

During the same period, Israel's military has attacked around 12,000 terrorist targets in Lebanon, it said. The majority of Hezbollah leaders were killed. In total, more than 3,000 people died in Lebanon as a result of Israel's counter-attacks.

In both countries, tens of thousands of people are waiting to be able to return to their homes once the fighting has ended.

SDA