France privately accuses Israel of breaching ceasefire – media
France privately warned Israel on Sunday that its continued violations of a US-brokered ceasefire deal with the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon could doom the fragile agreement, several Israeli news outlets have reported.
According to Ynet, Paris has recorded at least 52 alleged violations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), resulting in the deaths of at least three Lebanese civilians. The French authorities also reportedly expressed concern over renewed Israeli low-altitude drone flights over the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
The IDF struck what it claims to be Hezbollah targets without consulting the international committee tasked with monitoring the truce, Paris reportedly told West Jerusalem, calling on Israel to exercise restraint and let the Lebanese authorities fulfill their end of the bargain. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, Paris accused Hezbollah of violating the truce as well.
“The Lebanese are fully committed to maintaining the cease-fire and preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing its presence in southern Lebanon, but they must be given time to prove themselves,” a French official said, according to Ynet.
West Jerusalem defended its actions by claiming that the international monitoring committee would not be operational until early next week. Until then, Israel will respond with force to any perceived violations by Hezbollah, Israeli officials reportedly said.
Separately, the Times of Israel reported on Sunday that Israel’s actions are in line with a purported US “side letter” allowing West Jerusalem to use force against any renewed “threats.” Israel is reportedly entitled to act any time it believes the terms of the deal have been breached in southern Lebanon. It should, however, notify the US whenever it takes action against targets inside Lebanon, according to the report.
The US-brokered truce between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday. On Friday, each side accused the other of violating the truce after the Israeli military struck a facility supposedly used by the Lebanese movement in the south of the country.
The IDF has also struck targets on Syrian territory near the Lebanese border on several occasions in recent days, claiming that the targeted facilities were used by Hezbollah to move weapons from Syria to Lebanon. Syrian state-run SANA news agency reported on Wednesday that one Israeli airstrike killed six Syrians, including military personnel and a humanitarian worker.
