Beirut, Lebanon. Israel on Monday told residents of south Lebanon to stay out of a belt of territory along the border and not to approach the area of the Litani River, despite a ceasefire in the war with Hezbollah.
Ceasefire in effect but situation remains tense
A U.S.-mediated, 10-day ceasefire took effect on Thursday, largely halting the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. The ceasefire remains fragile, with Israeli troops occupying territory in the south as part of efforts to create a buffer zone, while Hezbollah says it maintains the “right to resist” Israeli occupation.
Israeli military issues maps and return restrictions
The Israeli military posted a map on social media with a red line through 21 villages across the south and said residents should not move into the area between it and the border. It said Israeli troops were maintaining positions in the south “in the face of ongoing terrorist activities” by the Iran-backed group.
The map also named more than 50 other villages in the south to which residents should not return. The Israeli military said it was not permitted to approach the area of the Litani River, which mostly flows to the north of the area it said residents should stay out of.
On Sunday, the Israeli military published a similar map showing its deployment line inside Lebanon for the first time. The line runs east to west, 5-10 km deep from the border into Lebanese territory, covering an area where the Israeli military has been destroying villages.
Warnings from Hezbollah and local councils
Senior Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qmati told residents of the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Saturday that they should not return to their homes yet because of the risk of Israeli attack. Local councils in the south also warned residents against returning home, saying it is not yet safe.
Hezbollah claim of tank destruction
Hezbollah said on Monday that explosive devices previously planted by its fighters detonated as Israeli military vehicles moved through an area of the south on Sunday, destroying four tanks. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the claim.
Will you delay returning to your home in south Lebanon until authorities say it is safe?