Thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians are returning to southern Lebanon. Israel's announcement: they could be evicted again
Thousands of displaced Lebanese made their way to the south of the country on Friday, taking advantage of a 10-day truce agreed between Lebanon and Israel, although Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that operations against Hezbollah were not over and that the population could be evacuated again if fighting resumes, according to AFP.
Just minutes before the ceasefire came into effect, Israeli raids on the city of Tire killed at least 13 people and destroyed several residential buildings, local authorities said, according to the same agency, cited by France 24.
For many of those returning home, the temporary truce, achieved with diplomatic pressure from US President Donald Trump, is a reason for hope. “The feeling is indescribable, of pride and victory”a 37-year-old woman told AFP.
Security zone of 10 kilometers
The cease-fire agreement allows the Israeli military to continue strikes against Hezbollah in the event of imminent attacks.
The Israeli army maintains a 10 kilometer security zone on the border. Israel Katz, the Minister of Defense, stated that the region between this area and the Litani River was not yet “cleared of terrorists and weapons”.
If diplomatic pressure fails, he said, military operations could be resumed.
“If fighting resumes, residents returning to the security zone will need to be evacuated to allow missions to be completedi”, stated Israel Katz.
The United States stated that Lebanon must take – with international support – measures to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks on Israel.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that direct dialogue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “the crossl” for the consolidation of the truce, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the south, the recovery of prisoners and the settlement of border disputes.
Hezbollah said it remains “with your finger on the trigger” in case of ceasefire violations.
Civilians returned home could be displaced again. PHOTO YouTube video capture Reuters
Return to the destroyed areas
Despite the warnings, entire Lebanese families crossed the recently repaired Qasmiyeh Bridge on Friday to return to their southern towns. In Israel, restrictions on civilians in border areas remain in place, although some residents hope for a return to normality.
The truce is an important step in Washington's efforts to reach a broader deal with Iran, which has made negotiations conditional on an end to fighting in Lebanon. Donald Trump has declared that a deal with Tehran is “very close” and that both Netanyahu and Aoun may visit the White House soon.
Benjamin Netanyahu said the truce opens the possibility of a “historic peace deal” with Lebanon, but stressed that Hezbollah's disarmament remains an essential condition. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the ceasefire, which he called “a fundamental demand of Lebanon since the first day of the war”.
