Israeli forces are still stationed in Lebanese border towns and villages. They must withdraw within 60 days [AFP/Getty]
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah entered its second day on Thursday with some Israeli violations reported near the border in southern Lebanon, where the military has warned people not to approach.
The Israeli army said it used a drone to target a car in the village of Markaba after it came too close to a no-go zone, injuring two people.
It also fired shells towards the border villages of Ayta al-Shaab, Al-Wazzani, and Kfar Shuba, with Israeli gunfire reported in the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras, Aytaroun and Bint Jbeil.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli military told south Lebanon residents they will be barred from travelling south of the Litani River, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border, between 1500 GMT and 0500 GMT on Thursday.
Despite warnings not to return to their villages, thousands of people headed back check on their homes after the ceasefire came into effect.
The Khiam municipality said Thursday it was waiting for an official announcement from Lebanese authorities to allow residents to return to the hilltop border town which had witnessed intense fighting for weeks between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces.
As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel has 60 days to pull out its troops from south Lebanon which it invaded at the start of last month. In that time, the Lebanese army will begin moving in, gradually deploying thousands of troops.
Hezbollah must also move north of the Litani with its heavy weaponry, and all its military infrastructure must be dismantled south of the river.
Several Israeli officials have warned to act decisively against Hezbollah and resume the war if the Iran-backed group violates the deal.
The militant group for its part has also said it is monitoring Israel’s commitment to withdrawing from south Lebanon, saying its fighters were “ready” for redeployment.
The fighting that erupted between Hezbollah and Israel in October 2023 dramatically spiralled into an open war in September, killing and wounding thousands of people in Lebanon and destroying swathes of southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs and towns in the Beqaa region.
Efforts to elect a president
French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Beirut Wednesday night to discuss with officials the ceasefire, which his country will play a key role in.
France has members in the UN mission in southern Lebanon, which is responsible for maintaining peace in the region. It will also be part of a US-led international monitoring committee that will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire deal, in line with UN Resolution 1701 adopted in 2006 but never fully enforced.
Le Drian is also expected to discuss with Lebanese officials efforts to elect a president now the war is over.
Since 2022, a political stalemate has stopped Lebanon’s sectarian rival groups from agreeing on a head of state, elected by parliament’s 128 lawmakers under the country’s power-sharing system.
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday set a session to elect a president on 9 January 2025, the first in months.
With Lebanon and Israel expected to begin mediated negotiations to delineate their land border, a president will be essential to oversee and sign off on these agreements.
