Israel forces killed at least three people in Lebanon on Sunday after firing on hundreds of people trying to return to their homes in the south country, following the deadline for Israeli troops to withdraw from the area.
The Lebanese Ministry of Heath reported the three deaths and the injures with Israel’s attacks targeting civilians in Kfar Kila and Houla, with Ayta al-Shaab and others also coming under fire.
Israel also detained two civilians from Houla after they returned to their town, while hundreds were blocked from reaching their towns and villages by the Lebanese army, presumably for their own safety.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon deal that took effect on 27 November said the Lebanese army was to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period.
That period ended on Sunday.
Israel has openly stated it had no intention to meet Sunday's deadline, keeping its forces occupying the area and issuing a warning on Sunday morning prohibiting residents of southern Lebanon from returning to their villages and surrounding areas "until further notice."
However, on Friday, Israel announced that its forces would not complete the withdrawal, accusing Lebanon of "incomplete implementation" of the agreement. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that "the phased withdrawal process will continue in coordination with the United States."
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the residents of southern Lebanon to exercise restraint and place their trust in the Lebanese Armed Forces, which are working to ensure their safe return. In a statement, he emphasised that "Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. I am following this issue at the highest levels to guarantee your rights and dignity. The Lebanese Army stands with you always.”
There are fears that the delay in Israel ending its military occupation could lead to Israel continuing its brutal assault on Lebanon, which killed over 4000 people and displaced 1.4 million people.
Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayad said on Saturday that Israel's "excuses" were a pretext to "pursue a scorched earth policy" in border areas that would make the return of displaced residents impossible.
Aoun spoke on Saturday with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, whose government is also involved in overseeing the truce.
According to a statement from his office, Aoun spoke of the "need to oblige Israel to respect the terms of the deal in order to maintain stability in the south".
Aoun also said Israel must "end its successive violations, including the destruction of border villages... which would prevent the return of residents".
Macron's office, in its summary of the conversation, said the French president had called on all parties to the ceasefire to honour their commitments as soon as possible.
On 17 January, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for Israel to end its military operations and occupation in the south.
The fragile ceasefire has generally held, even as the warring sides have repeatedly traded accusations of violating it.
The Israeli military has continued to carry out frequent strikes despite the ceasefire, and Lebanese state media has reported that Israeli forces are carrying out demolitions in villages they occupy.
Agencies contributed to this report
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