Lebanon's ceasefire is only five days old after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel following false claims by the Biden-Harris administration that Israeli surveillance drones were violating the agreement. But as of Monday, it was close to collapse.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Monday that two Hezbollah rockets were fired into Mount Har Dov. This is a strategic mountain that Breitbart News visited last Thursday, and which Hezbollah falsely claims is Lebanese.
Although international authorities do not recognize Hezbollah's claims, the Iranian-backed terror group has called on Israel to abandon the mountain, which overlooks all of northern Israel beneath it. Before Israel went on the offensive in the war, the Biden-Harris administration tried to persuade Israel to comply with Hezbollah's demands and withdraw from Har Dov.
Hezbollah's rocket fire followed claims by the Biden-Harris administration that Israel violated the ceasefire by flying surveillance drones over Beirut. As Breitbart News noticed Earlier on Monday, there was nothing in the text of the ceasefire agreement to prevent it, and the agreement states that both sides can carry out legitimate self-defense operations.
Instead of defending Israel, the Biden-Harris administration took an anti-Israel stance and sided with France, which considers Lebanon, a former French colony, its own territory. It sent a signal of weakness to Hezbollah and Iran.
With the Biden-Harris administration's claims in hand, Hezbollah opened fire on Har Dov, testing Israel's resolve. Israel responded immediately, with reports of attacks including shelling against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement (translated from Hebrew by the Government Press Office): “Hezbollah’s shelling on Mount Dov is a serious violation of the ceasefire and Israel will respond strongly. We will respond to violations.”
“We have responded decisively to Hezbollah's serious ceasefire violations and will continue to do so,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Helj Halevi said. We have plans and goals ready to go. ”
Despite the breakdown, the Pentagon reportedly said the ceasefire agreement remains in effect in Lebanon.
update: In a statement Monday night, the IDF said:
A while ago the IAF [Israeli Air Force] Hezbollah terrorists attacked dozens of launchers and terrorist infrastructure across Lebanon. In addition, the IAF attacked a Hezbollah launch pad in the Belgoz region of southern Lebanon shortly after firing two projectiles toward Mount Dob.
Hezbollah's firing tonight constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The State of Israel demands that Lebanese actors fulfill their responsibilities and stop Hezbollah's hostile activities within Lebanese territory. The State of Israel remains obligated to implement the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon.
The IDF stands ready to continue operations as necessary and will continue to do so to protect Israeli civilians.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT) on Sirius XM Patriot. he is the author of Agenda: What should President Trump do in his first 100 days in office?available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of Trumpian Virtues: Lessons and Legacy of the Donald Trump Presidencynow available on Audible. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter @joelpolak.
