The BBC obtained exclusive access to a French military operation, part of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon known as Unifil, as they conducted a search for positions used by Hezbollah to launch attacks against Israel.
As part of a ceasefire agreed upon in November, following 13 months of conflict, Hezbollah consented to withdraw its fighters and weapons from southern Lebanon.
According to the agreement, the Lebanese army will deploy thousands of soldiers to the region, while Israel will withdraw its troops who entered the country during the war.
Kandice Ardial, Unifil’s deputy spokesperson, stated that the primary breaches of the agreement are “coming from the Israeli side”.
She mentioned frequent Israeli airstrikes, continuous violation of Lebanese airspace by Israeli drones and fighter jets, as well as the presence of Israeli soldiers at five points inside Lebanon.
Israel claims that they are targeting Hezbollah members and positions, and that their soldiers’ presence is to ensure the security of northern Israeli communities.
The Lebanese government considers this a violation of the agreement and an infringement on the country’s sovereignty, urging the international community to pressure Israel to withdraw its troops from these locations and halt its attacks.
