Israeli Forces Proceed with Invasion of Lebanese Territory Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

Southern Infiltration 98km Ahead of Beirut... Airstrikes Targeting Hezbollah Continue
"Lebanese Government to Review US Ceasefire Proposal and Provide Official Response on the 19th"

Israel has been found to have launched fierce attacks deep into Lebanese territory even as it conducts ceasefire negotiations with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Smoke rising over the outskirts of Beirut due to airstrikes.

According to the US CNN broadcast on the 16th (local time), the Israeli military advanced into Chamaa in southern Lebanon the previous night. Chamaa is a village located about 98 km south of Beirut.

CNN noted that this advance is considered the deepest infiltration into local territory since the Israeli military launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon earlier last month. Lebanon's state-run NNA news agency reported that Israeli forces entering Chamaa destroyed the shrine of Simon Al-Safa (Saint Peter) located there.

Following this, the Israeli military concentrated airstrikes on Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut. The airstrikes on this area, known as a Hezbollah stronghold, have continued for five consecutive days as of this day. The Israeli military stated that it targeted Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure.

This attack occurred while Lebanon was reviewing a ceasefire proposal presented by the US and Israel. CNN cited Lebanese officials saying that Lisa Johnson, the US ambassador to Lebanon, delivered a ceasefire proposal to the Lebanese government on the 14th.

According to the Financial Times, the ceasefire plan is for an initial 60-day truce and is reportedly based on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701. UNSC Resolution 1701 was adopted in 2006 to end the ground war between Israel and Hezbollah. It stipulates that the Israeli military must fully withdraw from Lebanon, and only the Lebanese army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), excluding Hezbollah, may be stationed south of the Litani River in Lebanon.

CNN conveyed the atmosphere, saying, "Negotiators are optimistic that Hezbollah will agree to the ceasefire terms." However, the outlet also noted, "It is unclear whether the intensified (Israeli) attacks across Lebanon will affect the ceasefire negotiations." A Lebanese official said the government is expected to submit an official response regarding the ceasefire on the 18th local time.

On this day, the Israeli military confirmed at least 60 projectiles launched from the Lebanese side. Israel and Hezbollah have continued skirmishes near the border area since the outbreak of the Gaza Strip war in October last year. Hezbollah attacked Israel under the pretext of supporting the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Their low-intensity clashes escalated following the simultaneous explosion of Hezbollah radio call devices in September and the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel further intensified its offensive by launching a ground offensive in southern Lebanon on the 1st of last month.