Israeli jets fly over Lebanese capital, break sound barrier for 1st time since ceasefire
Flights coincide with reports of Israel postponing withdrawal from southern Lebanon despite Feb. 18 deadline
File photo: An Israeli fighter jet is seen flying over the city after violating Lebanese airspace in Tyre, Lebanon on February 22, 2024.
BEIRUT
Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier over the Lebanese capital Beirut and its southern suburbs on Wednesday evening, marking the first such incident since the Nov. 27 ceasefire agreement.
The escalation coincides with reports of Israel postponing the withdrawal of its army forces from southern Lebanon despite a Feb. 18 deadline.
According to the Lebanese state news agency NNA, Israeli fighter jets conducted low-altitude flights over Beirut, the Matn district in Mount Lebanon, and parts of the Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon.
Lebanese officials denied on Wednesday any agreement to extend the deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
A fragile ceasefire has been in place since Nov. 27, ending months of mutual shelling between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.
Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply.
Lebanon has reported nearly 900 Israeli ceasefire violations, killing and injuring dozens, including women and children, since Nov. 27.
