‘Extended truce’ fails to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon

The ongoing Israeli bombardment and expanded evacuation warnings have fuelled deep scepticism about the ceasefire among the thousands of Lebanese already driven from their homes. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah positions, but Saturday’s strikes were preceded by an evacuation warning that covered nine villages. The attacks have expanded in scope in recent weeks, reaching areas north of the Litani River and farther from the border. Since the truce began, the Israeli military has repeatedly issued such warnings ahead of strikes, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the south. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported strikes on villages that included one more than 50 kilometres from the border. The Israeli military also struck at least one town near the southern city of Nabatieh that was not included in its warning. At the same time, the NNA reported a new flight of residents heading north towards the coastal city of Sidon and the capital, Beirut. The violence came just one day after the two countries, which do not have diplomatic relations, agreed to extend a ceasefire that began on April 17 but has been marred by numerous violations. The latest extension was brokered during negotiations in Washington between Israeli and Lebanese envoys, which followed the first direct talks in decades between the two nations last month. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel continues to conduct strikes in Lebanon, and its forces are occupying territory near the border. Hezbollah, meanwhile, regularly claims attacks on northern Israe