Middle East conflict: Tensions in Lebanon after deadline – at least 22 dead

Deadly incidents have occurred again in southern Lebanon following the expiry of an important deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops. At least 22 people were killed by Israeli shelling, including a soldier, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Another 124 were injured, including nine minors and a paramedic. Residents had tried to return to their homes in the south despite Israeli troops still stationed there.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (Unifil) warned that further violence would undermine the fragile security situation. The Israeli military “must avoid firing on civilians in Lebanese territory,” warned Unifil.

Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia agreed to a ceasefire at the end of November after more than a year of shelling. The agreement originally also called for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon within 60 days. According to the latest Israeli information, this will be delayed. Lebanon has not yet fully implemented its part of the agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office explained the decision. The Lebanese army, which is supposed to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and prevent Hezbollah from returning to the area, is not moving in quickly enough.

No information on possible casualties of Israel’s army

When asked, the Israeli military said that suspects had approached troops and that Israeli soldiers had therefore fired warning shots to avert threats. Several people were arrested and were being questioned on site. The army initially did not provide any information about possible victims.

Since early Sunday morning, residents had gathered in towns in the south near the Israeli border, the state agency NNA reported. Photos and videos showed residents with yellow Hezbollah flags and car parades with portraits of the slain Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

“We are determined to enter our villages – at whatever price,” a woman named Fatima told the German Press Agency. A man named Mohammed said he wanted to enter his house with his family. “We have the right,” he said. A man named Ali said the 60-day deadline for the agreed withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon had expired. “They should have left. They are occupiers and this is our country.”

A video showed a group of residents standing in front of an Israeli tank, while others gathered in front of Israeli army blockades on country roads. There were some shots of women standing in the way of tanks and then talking to Israeli soldiers.

UN: Conditions did not yet allow return to the south

The conditions in the country do not yet allow residents in the south to return, explained UN special coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. Although violence in the country has decreased significantly, there are repeated violations of UN Resolution 1701. Implementing it is the only way to “end the latest dark chapter of the conflict and open a new one,” said Hennis-Plasschaert with. UN Resolution 1701 stipulates, among other things, that Hezbollah withdraw behind the Litani River about 30 kilometers north of the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Lebanese army is supposed to monitor compliance with the agreement.

According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army tried as much as possible to keep residents out of places where the troops are still stationed. The army said they would provide information about locations for a safe return in the south. “Until then, we ask you to wait.” Previous orders regarding inaccessible areas remained in effect.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said: “I share the joy of the people of the south at the triumph of justice and call on them to exercise restraint and trust in the (Lebanese) armed forces.”

The Lebanese army, in turn, said it had not yet been able to station its troops in the south as agreed. She would accompany residents on their return. The army accused the Israeli military of breaching Lebanon’s sovereignty and also a breach of the ceasefire.