Israel, Hezbollah accuse each other of violations a day after ceasefire starts

Civilians returning to homes straddling Israeli-Lebanese border caught in crossfire

BEIRUT - Israel and the militant group Hezbollah on Nov 28 traded accusations about violating the terms of a ceasefire deal that paused over a year of fighting between them, as civilians returning to their towns and villages straddling the Israeli-Lebanese border came under fire.

Israel claimed the truce was breached after "several suspects" arrived at a supposedly conflict-free zone.

But Hezbollah said Israel was the one that violated the conditions of the ceasefire deal when its tanks fired at six areas in southern Lebanon.

"The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages," Member of Parliament and Hezbollah member Hassan Fadlallah told reporters after a Parliament session.

"There are violations today by Israel, even in this form," he said.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Nov 27 under a deal brokered by the United States and France, intended to allow tens of thousands of people in both Israel and Lebanon to start returning to their homes in border areas shattered by 14 months of fighting.

Early on Nov 28, Israeli tanks hit six areas within that border strip, state media and Lebanese security sources said.

The rounds struck Markaba, Wazzani and Kfarchouba, Khiyam, Taybe and the agricultural plains around Marjayoun, all of which lie within 2km of the Blue Line demarcating the border between Lebanon and Israel.

One source said two people were wounded in Markaba.