By Recent Strikes Threaten Ceasefire Stability
Rising Tensions in Lebanon: Recent Strikes Threaten Ceasefire Stability
​The fragile peace between Israel and Hezbollah is facing its most significant test since the November 2024 truce. On Friday, January 16, 2026, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirmed that two individuals were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. These incidents mark a concerning escalation in what local officials describe as repeated violations of the standing ceasefire agreement.
​Fatal Strikes in Southern Districts
​The most recent fatality occurred in the town of Mansouri, located within the Tyre district. According to health officials, an Israeli drone strike targeted a small truck, resulting in the death of one person and wounding another. Emergency services from the Islamic Risala Scout Association arrived shortly after to transport the survivors to nearby medical facilities.
​This followed an overnight operation in Mayfadoun, in the Nabatieh district, where another strike on a vehicle claimed the life of one individual. While Israeli military sources frequently claim such operations target operatives attempting to rebuild militant infrastructure, Lebanese authorities emphasize the toll these strikes take on civilian safety and local stability.
​A Fragile Truce Under Pressure
​The ceasefire, brokered in late 2024 to end over a year of intense cross border hostilities, originally mandated a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces and the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River. However, the situation on the ground remains volatile:
• ​Incomplete Withdrawal: Reports indicate that Israeli forces maintain a presence at several border outposts despite the January 2025 deadline for full withdrawal.
• ​Ongoing Surveillance: Low-altitude drone flights have been reported over Beirut and its southern suburbs, heightening fears of a broader return to conflict.
• ​UNIFIL Concerns: United Nations peacekeepers have voiced “deep concern” after recent incidents where drones and tanks operated in close proximity to UN personnel, calling such actions a violation of Resolution 1701.
​The Path Forward
​As the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) continue their “National Shield” plan to reassert state control in the south, the international community is watching closely. The current escalation places immense pressure on diplomatic channels to prevent the collapse of the 2024 truce. For many in the region, these latest strikes are a stark reminder of the thin line between a strained peace and a renewed humanitarian crisis.
