Lebanese return to Southern border villages as 60-day deadline expires
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As the 60-day deadline for "Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanese territory, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement, expires, Southerners are flocking to border villages amid ongoing Israeli violations against the agreement.
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Lebanese southerners returned to border villages after the 60-day deadline ended on January 26, 2025. (Social Media/X)
The 60-day deadline for the complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from all Lebanese territories ended on Sunday at 4 am (GMT+2), the occupation however still did not abide by the withdrawal, continuing its violations and occupation of the southern villages.
In a blatant violation of the agreement, a spokesperson for the occupation army warned people against moving and returning to their hometowns, while the southerners fearlessly flocked back to their homes.
Despite warnings from the occupation forces, the people of Kfar Kila remained resolute in their attempt to return to their town, crossing the boundaries set by the Lebanese army. In response, the occupation forces opened fire, injuring several residents as they tried to enter their town, with the latest reports at 9 a.m local time indicated a toll of eight injured.
أهالي القرى الحدودية في الجنوب يردون اليوم على التهديدات الإسرائيلية بطريقتهم؛ سنعود إلى قرانا بفضل دماء الشهداء وتضحيات المقاومة.
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) January 26, 2025
مراسل #الميادين من #بنت_جبيل حسين السيد ينقل الأجواء صباح اليوم @HusseinHsayed#لبنان_ما_بعد_الستين pic.twitter.com/kpjVLV39NE
The residents of al-Khiam also returned to their town in convoys, defying the occupation forces' warnings.
Hundreds of southerners gathered at the entrances to their hometowns, eager to return as soon as the 60-day deadline expired. Despite their peaceful intent, occupation forces opened fire with machine guns, launching shells near the civilians as they crossed on foot into the towns of Houla and Mays al-Jabal.
'Southerners resilient against IOF'
Last night, the Lebanese Army Command urged residents to delay heading to the southern border areas, citing the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance left behind by the Israeli forces. The army emphasized the importance of exercising caution and called on citizens to follow the directives of the command and the instructions of deployed military units to ensure their safety.
In this context, the Army Command emphasized that military units are actively carrying out engineering surveys, clearing roads, and neutralizing unexploded ordnance. These units are also vigilantly monitoring the operational situation, especially with regard to the ongoing violations of agreements and assaults on Lebanon’s sovereignty. The statement further condemned the actions of Israeli forces, including the destruction of infrastructure and the demolition and burning of homes in border villages.
The Army also emphasized its efforts to "implement the operational plan to bolster deployment in the South Litani region," as instructed by the Council of Ministers. This deployment has been underway since the ceasefire agreement took effect, progressing in a phased and systematic manner. The operation is being carried out in coordination with the five-member committee overseeing the implementation of the agreement and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as stated in the statement.
The Lebanese Army Command noted that "several stages have been delayed due to the Israeli enemy’s delay in withdrawal, which has hindered the army’s deployment efforts. However, the army remains fully prepared to complete its deployment as soon as the enemy withdraws."
'Israel' violates ceasefire agreement
Under the US-brokered agreement, "Israel" is required to withdraw its forces within 60 days, by January 26. This withdrawal must be accompanied by an increased deployment of the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
However, in continued violation of the ceasefire agreement, "Israel", through the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed that its forces "will not fully withdraw from southern Lebanon after the 60-day period expires."
The occupation claimed that "the agreement was not fully implemented by the Lebanese state," with US backing and approval.
On Saturday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun continued his intensive discussions and consultations to address the situation in South Lebanon following significant developments and continuous violations by "Israel", the country's National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Aoun received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron in the afternoon in which the two leaders discussed the unfolding events in the south, ongoing efforts to contain the escalation, and potential measures to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement with "Israel" and prevent further tensions, NNA mentioned.
According to the news agency, Macron emphasized his commitment to maintaining the ceasefire and advancing the agreement’s full implementation through continued diplomatic engagement.
In turn, Hezbollah confirmed, on Thursday night, that any breach of the 60-day deadline would be considered a blatant violation of the agreement and an encroachment on Lebanese sovereignty.
Hezbollah asserted that such a situation would necessitate a response from the Lebanese state through all means and methods guaranteed by international treaties to reclaim and liberate the land from occupation.
