Some 1.2 million people were displaced in Lebanon, and thousands began streaming back to their homes on Wednesday despite warnings from the Lebanese military and the Israeli army to stay out of certain areas.
Israel claims the ceasefire with Hezbollah earlier this week was breached on Thursday, as Lebanon said Israeli tanks attacked areas in the country’s south. The development threatens a truce which had just begun after more than a year of fighting.
At least two people were wounded by Israeli fire in southern Lebanon, according to state media. In a statement, Israeli officials said that “several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to a number of areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire.”
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) “opened fire towards them” and would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement,” according to the statement.
Its forces will withdraw gradually, says Israel, warning that it reserves the right to strike Hezbollah if it violates the terms of the truce.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israel fired artillery in three other locations near the border, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
A long-negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday, intending to allow people from both sides of the conflict to return homes after 14 months of fighting.
The agreement, brokered by the United States and France, comprises of an initial two-month ceasefire during which Hezbollah militants will withdraw north of the Litani River and for Israeli forces to return to their side of the border.
The buffer zone would then be patrolled by Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers.
A Lebanese military official said Lebanese soldiers would gradually deploy in the south as Israeli troops withdraw.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began a day after Hamas’ 7 October attack out of Gaza, when the Lebanon-based military group began firing rockets, drones and missiles in solidarity.
Israel retaliated with air strikes as the conflict steadily intensified before escalating into an all-out war in September this year.
More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon during the conflict, according to Lebanese health officials. The fighting killed more than 70 people in Israel, many civilians, as well as dozens of Israeli soldiers fighting in southern Lebanon.
