1,500 Dead In Lebanon: Why Israel’s War On Hezbollah Continues Despite US-Iran Ceasefire

The two-week truce between the United States and Iran covered a range of issues between the warring parties — including Hormuz blockade, sanctions, aerial strikes and wartime losses — putting an end to the five weeks of conflict.

Iran and the United States have agreed to a 40-day ceasefire and reached terms on several issues, including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions on Tehran and an immediate halt to aerial strikes. However, tensions are still prevailing in Lebanon, where Israel is continuing its attack.

In fact, the Wednesday strikes, post-truce, were heaviest since the conflict started on February 28. Over 100 command centres and military sites of Hezbollah were targeted today.

According to several reports, the Wednesday strikes drew reminiscent to the Israeli invasion of Beirut in 1982.

Why is Israel attacking Lebanon?

Israel has supported US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend the operation against Iran, but has not agreed to pause Lebanon strikes, targeted at Hezbollah.

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Israel has claimed that Lebanon is out of the ceasefire agreement, a claim which is contested by Iran.

In a statement, Israel's military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said, "The battle in Lebanon continues, and the ceasefire does not include Lebanon."

Israel had started attacking Lebanon after Hezbollah joined the war with aerial attacks in favour of Iran. Soon thereafter, Tel Aviv confirmed its intent to make territorial advancement into the southern part of the country and acquire it up to the Litani River as part of a "security zone".

Israel reasoned its action as an attempt to protect its northern residents. Israel earlier issued an evacuation order to cover 15 per cent of the territory in the south and in the suburbs south of Beirut.

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Since March 2, Israel has reportedly killed over 400 Hezbollah fighters while a total of 1,500 people have been killed so far in Lebanon. This includes over 130 children and 100 women.

The escalation has left over 1.2 million people displaced. Israel, on the other hand, has lost 10 soldiers.