Israel on Monday urged residents of southern Lebanon to avoid areas near the border and stay away from the Litani River, as its military consolidates positions inside Lebanese territory despite an ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah.
The 10-day truce, brokered by the United States and in effect since Thursday, has largely halted fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group. The conflict had escalated in parallel with tensions between the US and Iran.
Expanding buffer zone
The ceasefire remains fragile. Israeli troops continue to hold ground several kilometres inside southern Lebanon, aiming to establish a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from cross-border attacks. Hezbollah, for its part, says it retains the right to resist what it describes as Israeli occupation.
The Israeli military published a map on social media marking a red line cutting across 21 villages in southern Lebanon. Residents were warned not to enter the area between that line and the border, with the military citing ongoing “terrorist activity” by Hezbollah.
More than 50 additional villages were also identified as off-limits for returning residents. Authorities further warned civilians to stay away from the Litani River area, which lies north of the designated zone.
A similar map released on Sunday showed, for the first time, the new line of Israeli deployment extending 5 to 10 kilometres inside Lebanese territory, where troops have reportedly been destroying infrastructure in several villages.
Warnings from both sides
A senior Hezbollah official, Mahmoud Qmati, advised displaced residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs not to return home yet, citing the risk of renewed Israeli strikes.
Local municipal councils in southern Lebanon issued similar warnings, saying conditions on the ground remain unsafe.
Hezbollah said earlier that explosive devices previously planted by its fighters detonated on Sunday as Israeli military vehicles passed through an area in the south, claiming four tanks were destroyed. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the claim.
Separately, Israel said one of its soldiers was killed and nine others wounded during fighting in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
Source: CNA