Israel is required under cease-fire terms to withdraw its forces south of Blue Line within 60 days
The Israeli army warned displaced civilians Sunday against returning to their homes in 62 villages in southern Lebanon, despite a cease-fire agreement.
Military spokesman Avichay Adraee posted the warning on his X account with an attached map showing the targeted villages.
"A new reminder for the residents of southern Lebanon...At this stage, it is prohibited for you to return to your homes south of this line until further notice. Anyone crossing south of this line puts themselves at risk,” Adraee said.
Lebanon and Israel reached a cease-fire deal on Nov. 27 last year to end over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.
Lebanese authorities have reported at least 472 Israeli violations of the cease-fire, however, including the deaths of 32 people and injury of 39 others.
The General Directorate of Lebanese Civil Defense announced late Sunday in a statement that it had retrieved the bodies and remains of 11 people from the town of Tayr Harfa and five from the town of Alma al-Shaab and handed them over to the authorities for DNA testing to identify them.
Under the cease-fire terms, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line – a de facto border – in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.
Data from the Lebanese Health Ministry indicates that since Israel's onslaught against Lebanon began on Oct. 8, 2023, at least 4,068 people have been killed, including women, children and health workers, while 16,668 others have been injured.
