This story originally appeared in the JC Israel Briefing. You can sign up to receive the briefing daily here.
Hezbollah has rejected the terms of a new ceasefire reached between Israel and Lebanon in the US on Wednesday.
Naim Qassem, leader of the Iran-backed terrorist organisation, said yesterday that “resistance will continue” despite a truce agreed upon by the two countries at the State Department in Washington.
Israel and Lebanon had announced their intention to create several “pilot” security zones where Hezbollah would be banned.
The statement, released by the US State Department, said the ceasefire “is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from the regions south of the Litani River.
Strikes appeared to continue unabated yesterday as the IDF reported that sirens sounded across northern Israel as Hezbollah launched rockets towards its troops in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, another Israeli soldier died in the conflict. Captain Eitan Shmuel Lemberg, 21, of the 7th Armoured Brigade’s 75th Battalion, was killed in a Hezbollah anti-tank guided missile attack.
Separately, the army’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, met with military representatives and local leaders in northern Israel, which has been pounded by Hezbollah attacks in recent weeks.
“I am aware of the difficulties and the price you are paying," he said. "This is a time for leadership, determination, and perseverance.
"We are engaged in a prolonged operation, we have achieved significant accomplishments, and we hold the upper hand.
“Our mission is your security and your protection - restoring lasting peace and security. Together, we are committed to creating a better security reality here for the long term.”
This story originally appeared in the JC Israel Briefing. You can sign up to receive the briefing daily here.
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