Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the conflict between Israel y Hezbollah began returning to their homes in southern Lebanon this Wednesday, ignoring the warnings of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to avoid these areas while the military deployment continues.
The ceasefire, which came into force at 04:00 (02:00 GMT) after almost 14 months of fighting, which intensified since September, when the IDF launched a series of special operations to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure of Hezbollah.
Despite the restrictions, thousands of families crowded the highway that connects Beirut with the south of the country, in vehicles loaded with mattresses and personal belongings. In cities like Sidon and other towns near the border, traffic was completely stopped by the massive flow of returnees.
The IDF’s Arabic spokesperson, Colonel Avichay Adraeeurged the displaced to not coming back yetstating that Israeli troops continue to be deployed in strategic positions in southern Lebanon as part of the agreement brokered by United States and France. “For your own safety and that of your loved ones, please refrain from traveling to the area,” Adraee posted on the X social network.
For its part, the Lebanese army asked citizens to wait for Israeli troops to completely withdraw before returning to villages near the border line. However, the calls failed to deter thousands of displaced people who, in caravans, returned to their homes in areas devastated by Israeli bombings.
In the southern suburbs of Beirut, a bastion of Hezbollahand in rural towns in the south of the country, the return was marked by celebrations. Militants from the Islamist group waved yellow flags as groups of neighbors gathered to rebuild their homes destroyed by the attacks.
The conflict broke out after the attack of Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023, which led Hezbollah to open a second front in support of the Palestinian movement. The escalation culminated in an Israeli ground invasion in September and massive bombing raids that leveled entire villages in southern Lebanon, where the Islamists had bases of operations.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of planning attacks against the north of its territory. Israeli forces faced strong resistance on the ground and a constant offensive of rockets and drones launched from Lebanese territory.
The ceasefire agreement provides for an initial two-month truce during which Hezbollah must withdraw its fighters from the south of the country, while Israeli troops will return to their side of the border. Najib MikatiLebanese Prime Minister, confirmed that the Lebanese army will reinforce its deployment in these areas in coordination with UN peacekeepers.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuassured that Israel will maintain its freedom of military action in the event that Hezbollah violates the agreement. “If they try to rearm, we will attack,” he warned.
In parallel, the United States hopes that this agreement will allow the region to be stabilized. The president Joe Biden He called the truce a “new beginning” for Lebanon and reaffirmed his commitment to seeking a similar solution to the conflict in Gaza, where bombing continues.
(With information from AP and AFP)
