France privately warned Israel on Sunday that its continued violations of the US-brokered ceasefire deal with the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon could spell doom for the fragile agreement, several Israeli news media outlets have reported.
According to Ynet, Paris has recorded at least 52 alleged violations by the Israel Defense Force (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 of Beirut.
The IDF struck what it claims to be Hezbollah targets without consulting an 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 the 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 only be operational starting 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 Israeli actions were allegedly “in line” with a purported US “side letter” allowing West Jerusalem to use force against any renewed “threats.” In particular, Israel was reportedly entitled to act any time it believes the terms of the deal had been breached in southern Lebanon. West Jerusalem should still notify the US in all instances it takes action against targets inside Lebanon, according to the report.
The US-brokered truce between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday. On Friday, each side accused the other of violating the truce after the Israeli military struck a facility allegedly used by the Lebanese movement in the south of the country.
The IDF has also struck targets on Syrian territory close to the Lebanese border on several occasions over the past days, claiming that the targeted facilities had been used by Hezbollah to move weapons from Syria into Lebanon. The Syrian state-run SANA news agency reported on Wednesday that one such Israeli airstrike killed six Syrians, including military personnel and a humanitarian worker.