Israeli forces pound southern Lebanon in new breach of US-mediated deal

Israeli military forces carried out an airstrike and artillery bombardment in southern Lebanon during the early hours of Tuesday, striking the course of the Litani River below the Deir Mar Mima monastery in Deir Mimas at approximately 4 a.m. local time. The town of Markaba in the Marjayoun district also came under artillery fire as Israeli military vehicles moved through the area, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Israeli forces stationed in Kfar Kila and Tall al-Nahhas erected earth barriers at two separate junctions near the village of Burj al-Muluk — one at the Deir Mimas-Burj al-Muluk-Kfar Kila junction and another at the Deir Mimas-Burj al-Muluk-Houra junction. The barriers were positioned around 150 meters from inhabited homes in Burj al-Muluk, the agency reported.

Framework agreement violated

The military actions constitute fresh violations of a framework agreement brokered by Washington in June, which stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups. Israeli forces have remained in southern Lebanon despite the accord, continuing construction of fortifications and conducting periodic strikes.

Hostilities between Israel and Lebanon resumed on March 2 when Israel launched extensive attacks claiming to target Hezbollah, prompting retaliatory strikes from the group that effectively terminated the ceasefire established in November 2024. More than four months of fighting have followed the collapse of the truce, with US-led diplomatic efforts failing to secure full implementation of the withdrawal protocol.