Lebanon Orders Army to Fire Back at Israeli Attack

Lebanon's army issued a rare direct order to fire back at Israeli forces after an attack near a border observation post on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in tensions despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

The incident occurred in the Marjayoun area as Lebanese forces were installing new monitoring positions along the southern border. An Israeli drone flew at low altitude, issuing threats aimed at forcing Lebanese personnel to abandon their posts.

"The army command issued orders to reinforce the post, remain there, and return fire," Lebanon's military announced on X, though it didn't specify how the attack was carried out.

A Ceasefire in Name Only

The November 2024 agreement was supposed to end hostilities between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah. Instead, it's become a case study in how ceasefires can exist on paper while violence continues on the ground.

Israel still occupies five positions in southern Lebanon and has conducted regular strikes throughout the ceasefire period. Lebanon's government has documented over 2,000 Israeli violations in just the last three months of 2025 alone.

The human cost is mounting. The UN reports at least 127 civilians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect. Friday's strikes killed at least 12 people, including civilians, prompting Hezbollah to promise renewed "resistance."

Lebanon's Impossible Mission

Meanwhile, Lebanon's army has been tasked with an almost impossible job: disarming Hezbollah with limited resources while the group's patron, Iran, remains influential in the region.

The Lebanese military says it completed the first phase of bringing non-state weaponry under control in the 30km zone between the Israeli border and the Litani River. They've dismantled facilities, destroyed tunnels, and confiscated weapons.

But Israel has dismissed these efforts as "far from sufficient" and continued its strikes. It's a catch-22: Lebanon can't fully control Hezbollah without risking civil conflict, yet Israel won't stop attacking until Hezbollah is neutralized.

The Iran Factor

The situation grows more precarious as US-Iran tensions escalate. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi warned of "signs" that Israel could launch intense strikes on Lebanon if conflict erupts between Washington and Tehran.

Targets could include civilian infrastructure like airports, despite diplomatic efforts to protect them. The US ordered non-emergency personnel to leave its Beirut embassy on Monday, while President Donald Trump said Tuesday he prefers diplomatic engagement with Iran but "would use lethal force if necessary."

A third round of US-Iran talks is scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, but the outcome remains uncertain.

The answer may determine not just Lebanon's future, but whether small states can maintain independence in an increasingly polarized world.