Israel: Lebanese are forbidden to move south

2024-11-29 08:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Lebanese residents have been banned from moving in a string of villages and their surroundings in the south of the country until further notice, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Friday.

Israel said it opened fire on Thursday at what it described as "suspects" who arrived in vehicles in several areas in the south, saying they violated a ceasefire between it and Iran-backed group Hezbollah, which came into force on Wednesday.

Hezbollah, which controls southern Lebanon, has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political party.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused Israel of violating the agreement. "Our enemy, Israel, is attacking those who are returning to the border villages," Fadlallah told reporters after a parliamentary session, adding that "these are violations by Israel, even in this form."

The Israeli military also said Thursday it hit a building used by Hezbollah to store medium-range missiles in southern Lebanon.

It was the first such attack since the ceasefire took effect on Wednesday morning.

In a post on X on Friday, Adraee called on Lebanese residents not to return to more than 60 villages in the south, saying anyone moving along the marked southern line "puts themselves at risk".

Lebanon's military earlier accused Israel of violating the ceasefire several times on Wednesday and Thursday.

The exchange of accusations highlights the fragility of the ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States and France to end the 14-month war.

This truce will last 60 days, with the hope that it will lead to an agreement that finally ends the war. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israeli forces have up to 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, but neither side is allowed to launch offensive operations.

The truce initially includes a two-month halt in fighting and requires Hezbollah to withdraw armed troops from southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops must return to their side of the border.

Thousands more Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers will be moved to the south, while an international panel chaired by the United States will oversee the implementation of these conditions./ Rel