The fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah is unravelling tonight as fresh strikes hit southern Lebanon, raising urgent questions over the effectiveness of British peacekeepers deployed in the region. The escalation, which saw rockets fired from Lebanese territory and retaliatory Israeli artillery fire, marks the most serious breach of the ceasefire since it was brokered by the UN last month. For the families in Manchester and Middlesbrough who sent sons and daughters to serve as part of the UNIFIL mission, the news is a cold reminder of the risks they carry.
The 650 British troops stationed in the area are mandated to monitor the withdrawal of armed groups from the border zone. But with Hezbollah fighters reported to be re-establishing positions in plain sight, critics say the mission is being undermined by a lack of political will. “We’re not there to fight a war,” a former British commander told me.
“But if the truce is dead, then our soldiers are sitting ducks. And the government needs to tell us what Plan B is.” Tonight, the Foreign Office insists the truce is “holding” despite the violence.
But for those watching the news in rainy northern towns, the disconnect between official statements and the shelling on their screens is growing harder to swallow.
