The Israeli military has announced that Lebanese residents are prohibited from moving south to several villages in southern Lebanon until further notice. Israeli military spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, made this statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Israel reported that on Thursday, its forces opened fire at what they identified as “suspects” who arrived in vehicles near areas in the southern zone. Israel claimed the actions violated a truce agreement with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which had been in effect since Wednesday.
In response, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire, stating, "The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages." Fadlallah further said that Israel was violating the terms of the truce with its actions.
On the same day, the Israeli military said it had targeted a facility in southern Lebanon used by Hezbollah to store mid-range rockets, marking the first such airstrike since the ceasefire came into force on Wednesday morning.
Adraee's recent post urged Lebanese citizens to avoid returning to over 60 villages in the southern region, warning that anyone who ventures south of the designated line "puts themselves in danger."
The Lebanese army had earlier accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire on both Wednesday and Thursday, reflecting the fragile nature of the agreement. The truce, mediated by the United States and France, was designed to halt the fighting that had erupted alongside the Gaza war. The agreement is set to last for 60 days, with hopes for a more lasting resolution.
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