The Israeli army has ordered thousands of displaced Lebanese residents not to return to their villages near the border, escalating tensions in the region. This directive comes a day after Israel announced that its forces would remain in southern Lebanon beyond a previously agreed Sunday deadline to withdraw.
The withdrawal deadline was part of a ceasefire brokered by France and the United States, ending last year’s conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel. The agreement stipulated that both sides had 60 days to remove their forces from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to secure the area. However, Israel stated on Friday that the terms had not been fully enforced by the Lebanese state, justifying its extended military presence without specifying a new withdrawal date.
The Lebanese military accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal, complicating the army’s deployment in the region. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged France to pressure Israel to adhere fully to the ceasefire agreement. In a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Aoun condemned Israel’s ongoing actions, including the destruction of border villages and extensive land bulldozing, warning that such measures jeopardize the return of displaced residents to their homes.
Members of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon reported that Israeli tanks and bulldozers had unexpectedly moved into southern Lebanon, setting up roadblocks apparently to prevent displaced Lebanese from returning to their villages. The Israeli military released a map on social media platform X, showing an area containing dozens of villages where residents are forbidden from returning “until further notice.”
“Anyone who moves south of this line puts themselves in danger,” the statement said, referring to a line stretching from Shebaa in the east to Mansouri in the west, encompassing areas close to the border.
The Lebanese army urged residents to delay returning to the border region, citing the presence of mines and unexploded Israeli ordnance. The army affirmed its readiness to complete its deployment as soon as Israeli forces withdraw.
The White House has called for a short, temporary extension of the ceasefire. President Macron assured President Aoun that he is working to maintain the ceasefire and ensure the full implementation of the agreement.
The conflicts between Israel and Lebanon occurred parallel to the Gaza conflict and resulted in significant displacement and destruction, leaving Hezbollah weakened. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad warned that Israel’s failure to withdraw on time poses a dangerous development that threatens the agreements endorsed by the Lebanese government.
“The government should re-evaluate the position to explore the most effective ways to impose the Israeli withdrawal and reassure the Lebanese, especially the southern community experiencing extreme anger,” Fayyad stated.
(With input from agencies)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
