Watan-Yesterday, Sunday, 22 Lebanese individuals, including 6 women, a Lebanese army soldier, and 124 others were wounded by Israeli occupation forces’ gunfire. This occurred as citizens attempted to return to their towns after the expiration of the 60-day ceasefire agreement, which Israel violated by not withdrawing from Lebanese territories.
Under the agreement, Israeli forces had until Sunday to withdraw from the border areas they had entered during the war. However, Israel announced earlier this week that its forces would remain beyond the deadline, prompting accusations of “stalling” by the Lebanese army.
Despite Israeli warnings and attempts to block them, residents of several southern towns headed toward their border villages. Crowds began gathering at the entrances of these towns from the early hours of dawn, with Lebanese army units working to ensure their safety.
The return convoys, which carried flags of Hezbollah and Amal Movement, were met with gunfire from Israeli occupation forces at the entrances to the villages. The Israeli army had also erected dirt barriers to prevent residents from reaching their homes.
The Lebanese army confirmed that the death of one of its soldiers occurred “as part of the (Israeli army’s) ongoing assaults on citizens and Lebanese army personnel in the southern border areas.”
The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on “Lebanese individuals who approached point-blank range of an Israeli tank in the town of Maroun al-Ras.”
Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that “several suspects were arrested in southern Lebanon.”
In a brief statement, Hezbollah’s military media commented on the events in the south, saying: “Our honorable people, today you amaze the world once again. You are a brave and courageous people.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the events as “a day of victory for Lebanon and the Lebanese people, a victory for justice, sovereignty, and national unity.” He emphasized that “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable” and stated that he is following the matter at the highest levels to ensure the rights and dignity of southerners.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri saluted the residents of the border villages, saying: “O southerners, you are the guardians of our land, sovereignty, and independence.”
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated, “On this day, when the wounded south expressed its attachment to its land and identity despite the threats of the Israeli enemy, we extend our deepest admiration and respect to our resilient people.”
International Reactions
A joint statement from the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Janine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the head of the UNIFIL mission, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, stated that the conditions are not yet suitable for the safe return of Lebanese citizens to their villages along the Blue Line. They urged displaced communities, facing a long road to recovery and reconstruction, to remain cautious.
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “withdraw the forces still deployed in Lebanon,” according to the Élysée Palace.
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