At least 2 hurt in south as Israeli troops fire on people returning home
An Israeli drone struck Thursday a car in the southern border town of Markaba, wounding at least two people, a day after a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel came into effect.
The agreement, brokered by the United States and France, includes an initial two-month cease-fire in which Hezbollah militants are to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border. The buffer zone would be patrolled by Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers.
The Israeli military and the Lebanese army had warned displaced Lebanese not to return to frontline villages and towns in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops were still present following their ground invasion in early October.
The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee warned residents in a post on X against approaching Shebaa, al-Habbariyeh, Marjeyoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, al-Qantara, Shaqra, Baraasheet, Yater and al-Mansouri.
He said that anyone who travels south of these villages and towns would be putting his life in danger.
These villages form a line separating south Lebanon from border villages where troops are still present.
The Israeli army also shelled overnight into Thursday the southern towns of al-Wazzani, Aita al-Shaab, Bint Jbeil, Taybeh, Khiam, Kfarshouba and Marjaayun.
The Israeli military said in a statement that “several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to a number of areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire.” It said troops “opened fire toward them” and would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”
On Wednesday, Israeli forces opened fire to push back a number of vehicles that were entering "a restricted area".
Three journalists, including a freelance photographer working for The Associated Press, were shot and wounded by Israeli troops while covering the return of displaced people to the town of Khiam, around 6 kilometers from the border, which had seen heavy fighting in recent days.
Israeli forces remained in their positions hours after the ceasefire began and will only gradually withdraw within 60 days.
The official said the pace of the withdrawal and the scheduled return of Lebanese civilians would depend on whether the deal is implemented and enforced.
Source: Naharnet, Associated Press
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