BEIRUT: The Lebanese army continued on Tuesday to be deployed in the western sector’s villages, from the coastal city of Naqoura to Marwahin.
Israeli forces are still stationed at Labbouneh Heights and Jabal Blat.
Lebanon and the US have approved extending the deadline for the Israeli forces’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon to Feb. 18.
The deadline falls within the framework of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah that went into force on Nov. 27.
The Lebanese army continued to be deployed in the central sector’s villages, following the Israeli withdrawal. On Tuesday, it entered Yaroun’s old town on the border. The army’s bulldozers also reopened all the village’s roads.
The Lebanese Red Cross retrieved the bodies of Hezbollah fighters, which had been trapped under rubble since the confrontations began between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israeli forces invaded Lebanese territory as part of Israel’s expanded war against Hezbollah last October.
Meanwhile, Israeli hostilities continue to hinder residents’ attempts to return to their villages.
An Israeli drone dropped stun grenades near several civilians while they were trying to enter Yaroun following the Lebanese army’s entry into the village.
Kfarkila’s residents blocked the Khardali highway to protest the delayed entry of the Lebanese army to their village.
In a statement, they said that “their village is disaster-stricken, and that the bodies of the victims who defended their town are still under rubble.”
They called on the Lebanese state to “assume its full responsibility toward its people and land and pressure the international community into forcing the occupation to abide by international laws.”
The residents re-opened the road after receiving official promises reassuring them that the matter would be addressed.
The mayor of Aitaroun informed its residents that Israeli forces had not cleared the area yet, which prevented them from returning. Aitaroun residents have been waiting at the village entrance for days.
In a post on social media, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee reminded border area residents of the deadline extension for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
He said: “The redeployment in certain sectors where Israeli forces are stationed may be delayed as additional time is required to ensure that Hezbollah is not able to reestablish its military strength.”
Adraee added that in the near future, Israel would inform them about the locations residents can return to. “Until that time, we ask you to wait and not allow Hezbollah to return and exploit you in an attempt to cover up the devastating consequences of its irresponsible decisions at the expense of the security of the State of Lebanon.”
Israeli forces have opened fire on unarmed civilians attempting to return to their villages along the border since Sunday, resulting in a total of 26 fatalities, including women, and injuring 160 civilians, including children.
The UN said: “Israel’s use of lethal force against civilians returning to their homes in southern Lebanon constitutes a violation of international law.”
It called for “the transformation of the ceasefire into a lasting and sustainable peace in the region.”
The Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a post via its official social media account: “We are concerned by reports that at least 24 people were killed and more than 100 others injured in recent days as civilians attempted to return to their homes in southern Lebanon.”
The commission stressed that “civilians must be allowed to return to their villages under voluntary, dignified and safe conditions.”
Lebanon has recorded no fewer than 670 violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel since its implementation, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
Israeli forces freed six Lebanese civilians on Monday evening as a result of diplomatic efforts led by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
They were apprehended while making their way back to their hometowns of Houla and Markaba on Sunday and Monday, with two women among those released.
The footage captured by residents returning to their villages revealed the extent of the destruction caused by Israel, particularly during the ceasefire period, during which entire villages were obliterated.
The Israeli military conducted a demolition operation near a mosque in the town of Al-Wazzani.
Several residences and structures in the Al-Mufilha region, west of Mays Al-Jabal, were bulldozed.
