Lebanese residents in Beirut reacted with caution Thursday to the extension of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, brokered by the United States, amid fresh Israeli drone strikes that killed at least one person and wounded four in southern Lebanon. The renewed ceasefire, agreed upon Wednesday, includes plans to establish several "pilot" security zones within Lebanon where Hezbollah militants would be prohibited. Despite the diplomatic progress, many civilians expressed doubts about the agreement's practical impact, particularly regarding Israel's military presence and freedom of movement. Suad Attia, a resident of Beirut, emphasized that the ceasefire must not favor one side, stressing the need for a full withdrawal from occupied territories. Khaled Zaghloul, another Beirut resident, called for guarantees that Israel has no intention of occupying Lebanon once Hezbollah is weakened. Hassan Dakhlallah from Tyre pointed to Israel's past actions, stating that once it occupies territory, it does not withdraw. Hezbollah is not participating in the ceasefire talks, which have taken place at the ambassadorial level in Washington since the beginning of last month. According to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), an Israeli drone strike killed one person and injured another after hitting a motorcycle in Maaroub. In Zefta, a drone strike on a car wounded Antoine Bouissa, his wife Terez, and their daughter Najat, who are from Marjayoun. Additional strikes were reported in Kfar Rumman, Kfar Tebnit, and other villages in the Tyre coastal district. The Israeli military issued a warning advising people to avoid areas south of the Zahrani river, citing ongoing strikes on Hezbollah facilities.
The ceasefire extension was announced just hours before Israeli drones killed a civilian and injured four others in southern Lebanon, undermining claims of de-escalation. The exclusion of Hezbollah from talks shaping Lebanon's security zones raises questions about the agreement's legitimacy and enforceability. Civilian casualties occurring so soon after diplomatic announcements suggest a disconnect between political messaging and military action. If Israel continues strikes while negotiating peace, the ceasefire risks becoming a tool for tactical advantage rather than a path to stability.
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