Israeli warplanes conducted strikes in Beirut’s suburbs and the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Tuesday as Israel’s security Cabinet prepared to vote on a U.S.-brokered cease-fire proposal with Hezbollah. The deal, aimed at ending over a year of conflict, includes a two-month halt to hostilities. It also requires Hezbollah to withdraw its armed forces from southern Lebanon while Israeli troops return to their side of the border.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would act decisively if the U.N. peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) failed to enforce the agreement. “If you don’t act, we will act, and with great force,” Katz warned during talks with U.N. special envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. The cease-fire proposal, brokered by the U.S. and France, has drawn cautious support from European Union officials. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, called on all sides to implement the agreement, warning that Lebanon’s stability is at stake.
Despite optimism surrounding the deal, Israeli forces intensified their military operations. Airstrikes targeted six buildings in southern Beirut, including one near the country’s only airport, and struck the southern city of Tyre, where Israeli forces reported killing a local Hezbollah commander. Israeli ground troops also advanced to the Litani River, clashing with Hezbollah forces and destroying rocket launchers near the Slouqi area.
The proposed cease-fire terms would require Hezbollah to move its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 20 miles from the Israeli border. This measure is intended to reduce rocket attacks on northern Israel, which have forced the evacuation of 50,000 Israelis and caused significant civilian and military casualties.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll. Over the past 13 months, Lebanese officials report more than 3,760 deaths, many of them civilians, and the displacement of 1.2 million people due to Israeli bombardments. Israel claims to have killed over 2,000 Hezbollah fighters. On the Israeli side, Hezbollah rocket fire has killed 75 people, most of them civilians, while 50 Israeli soldiers have died during ground operations in Lebanon.
Hezbollah initially linked its military activity to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, firing rockets into northern Israel after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. However, the group recently dropped its demand for a Gaza cease-fire as a condition for halting its own operations.
While the Israeli security Cabinet is expected to approve the cease-fire proposal, hard-line opposition within the government remains. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voiced strong disapproval, calling the deal a “big mistake” and a “missed historic opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah.”
U.S. officials have urged caution, emphasizing that finalizing the agreement remains uncertain. White House national security spokesman John Kirby remarked, “Nothing is done until everything is done,” noting the possibility of last-minute setbacks.
If implemented, the cease-fire could significantly reduce tensions in the region, though questions remain about its impact on broader conflicts involving Iran-backed groups.
