Israeli forces shoot, kill Lebanese residents returning south

On Sunday, Israeli forces opened fire on Lebanese civilians returning to their homes in southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 83 injuries. This occurred after the deadline for the Israeli military's withdrawal from Lebanese territory had passed, and Lebanese residents, defying Israeli military orders, attempted to return to their villages.

Israel had stated on Friday that it would extend its troop presence in the south beyond the deadline stipulated in the US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. The Israeli government accused Lebanon of not fully implementing the terms of the agreement, which included disarming Hezbollah in the south and deploying the Lebanese army in the area. The agreement, which ended a year of conflict and months of war between the two sides, also stipulated that Hezbollah must retreat north of Lebanon's Litani River.

Israel stated that it needed more time to complete its withdrawal and indicated that it would not leave Lebanon immediately, which prompted Lebanese residents to advance towards their occupied towns and villages. Israel has also been accused of hundreds of ceasefire violations during the 60-day truce, including regular airstrikes on southern Lebanon and the continued use of drones in the country. Israeli military Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that on Sunday, soldiers “opened fire to prevent and eliminate threats posed by suspicious individuals found approaching in several areas,” without providing any evidence of such threats.

Some Lebanese people were also abducted by Israeli soldiers, primarily in the southern town of Houla. Defying Israeli orders, Lebanese people stood in front of Israeli tanks and soldiers, demanding they leave Lebanese territory. Hezbollah suffered significant losses in its war with Israel but managed to stall most of its enemy's ground offensives. Hezbollah has stated that it is leaving the responsibility of ensuring Israeli withdrawal to the Lebanese government. “We are on our land, and the enemy is the one who violated the agreement, who violated the pact. Therefore, the people are liberating their land with their own hands and blood,” said Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television. “We want the state to play its role,” he added.

The Lebanese army, following behind and sometimes alongside residents, was able to station itself in several border villages as the Israeli forces retreated. The Lebanese army continues to monitor the activities of Israeli forces in Maroun al-Ras, Mays al-Jabal, Kfarkila, and other border towns where residents are attempting to forcibly return to their homes. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who led the country’s army before his election, congratulated the people of southern Lebanon for returning to their homes but urged them to exercise restraint for their own safety. “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, and I am following up on this matter at the highest levels to ensure your rights and dignity,” he said in a statement.

Although little of the infrastructure in the southern Lebanese border towns remains intact, residents told local media that what is important to them is “to be able to go home and finally rebuild.” In the prominent southern city of Khiam, church bells rang and mosques echoed with calls to prayer as residents walked or drove through the ruins and destruction. Israeli attacks on Lebanon resulted in the deaths of more than 4,000 people, most of which occurred during the two-month war from September to November.