The Middle East in a spiral of violence

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel has resumed airstrikes on Lebanese territory. This is a notable cross-border airstrike since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, brokered by the US, came into effect in November 2024.

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli border, on March 22. (Source: THX)

On the surface, the Israeli airstrike appeared to be retaliation for missile launches into Israel from southern Lebanon, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of carrying out. However, things are not that simple.

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah had to withdraw north of the Litani River and dismantle all its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. In return, Israel had to withdraw its troops across the Green Line – the border between Israel and Lebanon drawn by the United Nations after the 2000 conflict.

The commitments were clearly stated in writing, but when it came to specifics, each side sought to interpret them in a way that best benefited them. While Israel insisted the ceasefire required Hezbollah to completely disarm throughout Lebanon, Hezbollah argued that it only had to disarm to a limited extent south of the Litani River.

Amid a lack of trust, neither side is serious about implementing the ceasefire agreement. To date, Israel still occupies five positions it considers "strategically important" in southern Lebanon. Several Hezbollah groups are secretly entrenched south of the Litani River.

Moreover, cross-border attacks are a tactic both opposing sides are employing to assert their power. These new moves jeopardize the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and could even plunge Lebanon back into war.

Along with the resurgence of Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, the confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon shows that the period of temporary calm in the Middle East, thanks to ceasefires, has almost come to an end. The risk of a new spiral of violence is now evident.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trung-dong-trong-vo-ng-xoay-bao-luc-309003.html