US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Wednesday that the ceasefire in Lebanon, brokered to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, remains intact despite reports of violations.
Speaking at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting in Brussels, Blinken said, “The ceasefire is holding, and we’re using the mechanism that was established to address any concerns about alleged or purported violations.”
This marks the second instance in which the United States has affirmed the ceasefire’s continuation since it came into effect.
Earlier this week, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated that the ceasefire “is holding,” despite Lebanon’s accusations of Israeli violations and Israel’s claims that Hezbollah had breached the truce.
Rising death toll amid fragile calm
More than a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has taken a significant toll on Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad reported a total of 4,047 deaths and 16,638 injuries, with most casualties occurring since the escalation in September. Among the fatalities, 316 were children, and 790 were women.
Despite the ceasefire, tensions flared earlier in the week when Israeli airstrikes killed at least ten people in southern Lebanon, marking the deadliest day since the truce took effect on November 27.
Accusations of ceasefire violations
Israel launched airstrikes on Monday in response to what it described as Hezbollah’s targeting of an Israeli position in the disputed Kfarchouba hills.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, marking its first since the ceasefire began.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hezbollah’s actions, calling the shelling a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and pledging to “respond with force.”
In turn, Hezbollah accused Israel of escalating tensions by targeting areas in southern Lebanon with airstrikes.
Comments