On November 27th, 2024, a ceasefire agreement was signed between Israel and Lebanon along with five other mediating countries. On Sunday November 23rd, 2025, Israeli forces targeted a building in a southern neighborhood of Beirut, injuring 28 people and killing five, including one of Hezbollah’s military leaders, Haytham Ali Tabatabai.Almost one year after the agreement, the attacks by the Israel Defense Forces fuel mistrust, tensions and the risk of retaliation.
In reality, on both sides of the Blue Line, the two parties have accused each other of breaching the terms of the settlement, continuing to carry out airstrikes and killing civilians. But what were the terms of this ceasefire in the first place?
After almost a year of ongoing war in the Middle East between Israel and Hezbollah, negotiations began to set the terms for a ceasefire. In addition to the the two signatories were five other mediating countries, including the United States, to monitor the process and ensure peaceful conditions and sustainable solutions. Although the 13 points of the deal were agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel, but not with Hezbollah, the Lebanese government committed to preventing the paramilitary group from carrying out offensive operations against Israel. On the other hand, Benjamin Netanyahu along with his cabinet, agreed to quit military attacks in Lebanon. The truce was particularly pushed by the US and meant to provide permanent peace, holding both parties accountable. In fact, the accord was based on the full implementation and recognition of the Security Council Resolution 1701, promoting a long-lasting cessation of hostilities.
To properly implement these clauses, a 60-day halt transitional phase was supposed to set the conditions for a durable cooperation, giving time for Hezbollah to pull back and demobilize its armed units while allowing Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, therefore separating the enemies. However, the ceasefire did not prevent both sides from exercising self-defense, but only from carrying out offensive military operations.
The effectiveness of the consensus can be questioned, as it seems both sides were accused of violating it, multiple times. Just a few hours after the agreement went into effect, both Israel and Lebanese media accused each other of breaching the contract, with Israeli forces opening fire in Khiyam on a group of journalists. While in contrast, according to Israel’s government, on the same day, Hezbollah commanders entered the town of Kfar Kila, located just kilometers away from the border, thus also violating the deal. On the one hand, Hezbollah allegedly never ceased to rearm itself, acquiring missiles, rockets and other kinds of artillery. Israel accused the group of constantly working towards and preparing its next operations, going against the terms and conditions endorsed. On the other hand, since the signing of the agreement and up-until now, November 2025, the Lebanese Health Ministry has accused Israel of killing 330 people, of whom 127 were innocent civilians whose deaths were confirmed by the UN. Just a few days ago, on November 25th, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan highlighted the ongoing and escalating attacks perpetrated by Israel on Lebanon, resulting in insecurity, the killing and wounding of civilians and destruction of infrastructure. For this reason, he called for UN-led investigations for the “possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties”. The ongoing violations of the agreement have raised many concerns in the international community, especially after the events of Sunday, November 23rd, when a senior commander of Hezbollah was targeted and killed in a strike carried out by Israeli armed forces, along with four other members. Haytham Ali Tabatabai, also known as Abu Ali Tabatabai, served as commander of the Radwan Force, Hezbollah’s special forces unit, positioned at the forefront of the group’s military operations and whose goal is to conduct operations in Israel. In 2016, the US Department of State designated him as a SDGT, a terrorist. His assassination was later claimed by the Israeli government, depicting him as Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff, representing an ongoing threat to the country, fearing rearmament in anticipation of future operations.
This incident occurred just a few days before Pope Leo XIV’s scheduled visit to Turkey and Lebanon, his first apostolic overseas trip since the beginning of his papacy.
The event revived, more than never, the fear of violent retaliation from the Shiite militia. It questions the credibility of international accords and confirms the overall belief that the ceasefire agreement is collapsing. Finally, it leaves room to wonder about the violation of international law, sovereignty, human rights as well as the larger regional consequences. The international community, including France, voices deep concerns over the ongoing nature of Israeli airstrikes.
A cura di Laura Jacson
Sources
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/25/civilians-killed-israel-strikes-lebanon-ceasefire
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2d3gj9ewxo
https://uk.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-voices-deep-concern-over-israeli-airstrike-beirut
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