Israel Fires on Alleged Truce Violators in Southern Lebanon “`

Israeli forces fired on Thursday at individuals in southern Lebanon suspected of violating the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.

IDF Arabic Spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated on X that several suspects were seen entering various areas in southern Lebanon, some by vehicle, breaching the agreement.

Both the Israeli and Lebanese militaries cautioned displaced Lebanese against returning to evacuated villages—where Israeli troops remain following October’s ground invasion—until the troops withdraw. The U.S. and French-brokered agreement, accepted by Israel on Tuesday, calls for a two-month truce. It mandates Hezbollah’s removal of its armed presence from southern Lebanon, with the simultaneous return of Israeli forces to their side of the border.

“IDF forces opened fire on them,” Adraee said. “IDF forces in southern Lebanon are enforcing the ceasefire agreement.”

 

He also defined a zone along the Israel-Lebanon border that Lebanese residents should avoid. 

“The IDF does not intend to target you; therefore, returning to your homes south of this line is prohibited until further notice,” Adraee added. “Anyone south of this line risks danger.”

Israeli tank fire struck six locations in that region Thursday morning, injuring two, according to Lebanese state media and security sources.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is in its second day, with Hezbollah stating that its fighters “remain fully equipped to respond to Israeli actions” and will monitor the IDF withdrawal “with weapons at the ready,” according to Reuters.

The Lebanon conflict began when Hezbollah, backed by Iran, attacked northern Israel after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel. Since then, Israel has inflicted significant losses on Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure in Lebanon.

 

By ending the conflict with Hezbollah, Israel stated that Hamas would be isolated in the Gaza Strip, facilitating the recovery of remaining hostages.

Thousands of displaced Lebanese returned home Wednesday as the ceasefire took effect, according to The Associated Press.

“It was a brutal 60 days,” Mohammed Kaafarani, displaced from Bidias, Lebanon, told the AP. “We had nowhere to hide.”

“We don’t worry about the damage. We lost our livelihoods and property, but it will return,” added Fatima Hanifa, a resident near Beirut.

In Israel, the mood was reportedly subdued, with displaced Israelis concerned about Hezbollah’s continued proximity and the lack of progress on hostage returns from Gaza.

“It’s still unsafe to return home because Hezbollah is near,” Eliyahu Maman, displaced from Kiryat Shmona, told the AP.

’ Danielle Wallace, Louis Casiano and