Hundreds of Lebanese villagers returned to their homes in southern Lebanon on Monday, following a partial Israeli retreat from the occupied area.
The Israeli withdrawal comes after its forces massacred 22 people attempting to reach their homes in the south after Israel refused to adhere to a 60-day withdrawal deadline on Sunday as part of the ceasefire agreement reached in November.
Despite Israel’s violations of the ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese government confirmed that it had extended the truce to 18 February.
After talks with the US, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Monday the government would “continue implementing the ceasefire agreement until February 18, 2025”.
However, this has not deterred displaced southern Lebanese from returning to their homes with the Lebanese army overseeing the safety of the villagers.
“The army is overseeing the return of residents to the border villages and towns in southern Lebanon that have been evacuated from the occupation, and we urge everyone to adhere to our directives for their safety,” a source in the Lebanese army told The New Arab’s Arabic sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Israeli forces have mostly withdrawn from western and central areas of the south, while continuing to occupy the east of the country.
The source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed:Â “The villages we have entered so far are Bani Hayyan, Houla, Meiss El-Jabal, Maroun El-Ras, Aitaroun, Yaroun, Ramyah, Al-Dhahira, Yarin, Umm Al-Tout, Zaloutieh, Taybeh, Deir Serian, Beit Lif, Hanin, Qantara, Aita Al-Shaab, and Al-Qouzah.
“As for the villages still under occupation, they are Al-Labbouneh, Marwahin, Blida, Meiss El-Jabal, Markaba, Kfar Kila, Al-Adaysseh, Roub Thalatheen, Tallouseh, Talaat Al-Hammams, Sarada, Wazzani, Abbasieh, Majidiyeh, Bastra, Sidana, Barakat Al-Naqqar, and Deir Mimas.”
Israel has destroyed huge swathes of southern Lebanon, including homes and infrastructure, both through previous bombing campaigns and deliberate demolitions.
“We officially invited citizens to return today under the supervision of the Lebanese Army, but living conditions are not suitable, and the level of destruction is significant,” the mayor of Kfar Shouba, Qasem Al-Qadri, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Displaced Lebanese are seeking to return to areas of the south Israeli forces have not yet withdrawn from.
Despite the horror of Israel’s massacre on Sunday, many residents believe Israel ought to have left the entirety of the south and see their actions yesterday, in returning to occupied villages, as the reason for Israel’s partial withdrawal.
Hezbollah hailed the return of Lebanese villagers as a “glorious day” and praised residents’ “deep attachment to their land” in a statement on Sunday.
The group also called on the backers of the ceasefire agreement, which includes the US and France, to “assume their responsibilities in the face of these violations and crimes of the Israeli enemy”.
“The announced extension of the ceasefire does not mean extending the occupation and the return of the residents will continue,” a parliamentary source in Hezbollah told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
