Since the theoretical ‘ceasefire’ of 17 April, Israel has stepped up its bombing and ground operations in a largely devastated southern Lebanon. In the ‘buffer zone’, nearly 45% of urban areas have been razed to the ground or damaged since the clashes began on 2 March. According to the Lebanese authorities, the death toll stands at 3,516, with over a million people displaced. For its part, the Israeli army continues to come under fire from Hezbollah, and 14 soldiers have been killed by drones since the “truce”.

Under direct pressure from Trump, who is seeking a way out of the war in Iran (whose regime is supported by Hezbollah), a fragile agreement took shape this week in Washington. The State of Israel is making the complete cessation of its operations and the withdrawal of its troops conditional on the disarmament of Hezbollah, which has been accepted in theory by the Lebanese authorities. This ceasefire therefore initially concerns only the planned strikes on Beirut, whilst operations in the south will continue…

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