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 claimed the ceasefire with Hezbollah earlier this week was breached on Thursday, as Lebanon said Israeli tanks attacked areas in the country’s south, threatening a truce which had just begun.
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 IDF “opened fire towards them” and would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement,” according to the statement.
Its forces would withdraw gradually, said Israel, warning that it reserved the right to strike Hezbollah if it violates the terms of the truce.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israel fired artillery rounds 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 US and France, comprises an initial two-month ceasefire during which Hezbollah militants are to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces will return to their side of the border.
Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers would then patrol the buffer zone.
A Lebanese military official said 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 at Israel.
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.
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