The Israeli army has ordered thousands of displaced Lebanese residents not to return to their villages near the border until further notice. This announcement comes a day after Israel declared that its forces would remain in southern Lebanon beyond a Sunday deadline to withdraw.
Ceasefire Agreement in Jeopardy
The original deadline was part of a ceasefire agreement that ended last year's conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel. Brokered by France and the United States, the deal stipulated that both sides had 60 days to remove their forces from southern Lebanon. The Lebanese army, alongside UN peacekeepers, was then to secure the area.
However, Israel stated on Friday that the terms of the ceasefire had not been fully enforced by the Lebanese state. As a result, Israeli troops will stay beyond the agreed-upon deadline, without specifying a new timeline for withdrawal.
Lebanese Government Responds
In response, the Lebanese military issued a statement on Saturday accusing Israel of \"procrastinating\" in their withdrawal from occupied areas. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reached out to French President Emmanuel Macron, urging France to pressure Israel to adhere fully to the ceasefire agreement.
During a phone conversation, President Aoun condemned Israel's continued violations, including the destruction of border villages and extensive land bulldozing. He warned that these actions jeopardize the return of displaced residents to their homes.
UN Peacekeepers Report Escalations
Members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli tanks and bulldozers have unexpectedly moved deeper into Lebanese territory, setting up roadblocks. These measures appear to be aimed at preventing displaced Lebanese villagers from returning to their homes.
Israeli Military Issues Warning
The Israeli military posted a statement on social media platform X, accompanied by a map highlighting an area in southern Lebanon containing dozens of villages. The statement warned residents that they are forbidden from returning to their homes until further notice.
\"Anyone who moves south of this line puts themselves in danger,\" the statement read. The designated line stretches from Shebaa, less than two kilometers from the border in the east, to Mansouri in the west, approximately ten kilometers from the border.
Humanitarian Concerns Rise
The continued military presence and restrictions have raised humanitarian concerns among international observers. The displacement of residents and destruction of infrastructure hamper efforts to rebuild and stabilize the region following last year's conflicts.
Calls for International Intervention
Lebanese officials are calling on the international community to intervene. They emphasize the importance of upholding the ceasefire agreement to ensure the safe return of displaced residents and the restoration of peace in the border areas.
