“Israel” warns south Lebanon residents against returning to border area

On Saturday, the "Israeli" army issued a warning to residents of numerous Lebanese villages near the border, advising them not to return until further notice, according to Reuters. 

This came a day after "Israel" announced that its forces would remain in southern Lebanon beyond a Sunday deadline for their withdrawal.

Read more: 'Israel' refuses to withdraw from southern Lebanon

A ceasefire agreement that ended last year’s conflict between Hezbollah and "Israel" required "Israeli" forces to withdraw as Hezbollah’s weapons and fighters were removed and the Lebanese army deployed in the south.

The deal, brokered by the US and France, set a 60-day deadline, which ends Sunday.

However, "Israel" stated on Friday that the Lebanese government had not fully implemented the terms, meaning "Israeli" troops would stay past Sunday, though no timeline was provided. Lebanon’s military criticized "Israel" for delaying its withdrawal as reported by Reuters. 

On social media, the Israeli Occupation Forces claimed it had been seizing Hezbollah’s weapons and dismantling its infrastructure in the region.

Located in Southern Lebanon:
-A vehicle loaded with weapons under a mosque
-A weapons cache inside of a mosque
-Hundreds of mortar shells, explosives, rockets, weapons, and additional Hezbollah military equipment

We will continue our efforts to remove threats in southern… pic.twitter.com/qs1Hqj0LQ4

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 24, 2025

According to Reuters, French President Emmanuel Macron reached out to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss maintaining the ceasefire and ensuring the agreement’s full implementation. Aoun emphasized the need for "Israel" to honor the deal to maintain stability in the South.

Hezbollah warned on Thursday that any delay in "Israel’s" withdrawal would breach the agreement and urged the Lebanese state to act accordingly. The group stated that Lebanon should address the violation “through all means and methods guaranteed by international charters.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s military advised residents to delay returning to the border region due to the risk of mines and unexploded ordnance. The army also noted delays in its efforts to deploy south of the Litani River due to "Israel’s" continued presence but reaffirmed its readiness to complete its deployment once "Israel" withdraws.