Despite the cease-fire, casualties are increasing in southern Lebanon. The death of an Israeli soldier and the growing death toll show the fragility of the deal with Hezbollah.
The Israeli army confirmed that its soldier was killed on Wednesday in southern Lebanon, where clashes with the Hezbollah militant movement continue despite an agreed ceasefire. This was reported by the AFP news agency, which is referred to by TASR, while the Reuters agency also pointed out that the circumstances of the incident may indicate that it was an accident.
- An Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon during a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
- A 32-year-old Israeli driver died when a military vehicle overturned.
- A total of thirty-seven Israeli soldiers have died in southern Lebanon since March.
- Lebanese authorities report over four thousand dead and a million displaced residents.
- Benjamin Netanyahu has given the army full freedom to operate in southern Lebanon.
The 32-year-old driver died “during an operation” when the military vehicle overturned, according to a military statement. However, a source cited by Reuters described the event as an accident, without further elaboration.
Growing losses
At the same time, the Israeli armed forces published the current balance of casualties on their side since the outbreak of fighting with Hezbollah on March 2. According to them, 37 Israeli soldiers and one civilian contractor lost their lives in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese authorities, on the other hand, report significantly higher losses on their side. They report that Israeli attacks have so far killed more than 4,100 people and forced more than a million people to flee their homes.
Military “free hand”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that Israeli forces have “full freedom” to intervene against any threat in southern Lebanon. At the same time, he reiterated that the troops will remain deployed in the area as long as the army considers it necessary.
Tensions in Lebanon have also become central to the first round of talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, which are aimed at ending the wider conflict in the Middle East. According to AFP, Tehran primarily demands the cessation of combat operations in Lebanon.
