Lebanese villagers continue to bravely attempt to return home despite Israeli violence [Getty]
Israeli forces killed two Lebanese and wounded 17 others on Monday, in a second day of violence by Israel as it continues its occupation of large parts of south Lebanon.
Hundreds of unarmed Lebanese villagers, desperate to return to their homes in the south, attempted to enter occupied villages when Israeli forces opened fire for a second day running.
“Israeli enemy attacks as citizens attempt to return to their towns that are still occupied have led… to two dead and 17 wounded,” the health ministry said in a statement.
It said the wounded included a child and a rescue worker.
The violence came hours after the extension of a Sunday deadline for Israeli forces to withdraw from south Lebanon under a November ceasefire deal.
The extension itself occurred after Israel violated the ceasefire terms on Sunday by not withdrawing from south Lebanon. As villagers attempted to peacefully return to their homes, Israel opened fire and massacred 24 people.
Under the ceasefire deal that took effect on 27 November, the Lebanese military was to deploy in the south alongside UN peacekeepers as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period, which ended on Sunday.
Hezbollah was also to pull back its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres from the border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said earlier Monday that Lebanon had agreed to an extension of the ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel until 18 February, after the Israeli military missed Sunday’s deadline to withdraw.
In south Lebanon, residents accompanied by the army were again trying to return to their villages.
In the village of Burj al-Muluk, AFP reported that dozens of men, women and children had gathered behind a dirt barrier, hoping to reach the border town of Kfar Kila, which is still under the occupation of the Israeli military.
The displaced Lebanese villagers are growing increasingly frustrated at the Lebanese government and army for what they see as inadequate support in the face of Israel’s violations of the ceasefire.
Hezbollah, which still enjoys huge support among Lebanese civilians in the south, said on Monday evening that they do not accept any justifications to extend the period for Israeli troops’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
In a televised speech later on Monday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated calls for the Israeli military to withdraw from the south.
“Israel must withdraw… any consequences of a delay in the withdrawal rests on the United Nations, the United States, France and the Israeli entity,” Qassem said.
The US and France are part of a mechanism that deals with any violations of the ceasefire.
Qassem called for pressure on Israel to adhere to the original terms of the deal, hailing French President Emmanuel Macron’s appeal before the latest extension.
“We are facing an aggressive occupation that refuses to withdraw, and the resistance has the right to act as it sees fit,” Qassem warned.
Macron’s office on Saturday said he had called on all parties to honour their commitment to the ceasefire as soon as possible.
Agencies contributed to this report
