At least three individuals lost their lives and over 40 others sustained injuries in southern Lebanon on Sunday as Israeli forces opened fire on demonstrators who had breached roadblocks set up by the Israeli army the previous day, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry.
The protesters, some of whom were carrying Hezbollah flags, were attempting to enter several villages in the border area to express their dissatisfaction with Israel’s failure to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon within the 60-day deadline specified in a ceasefire agreement that ended the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in late November.
Israel has defended its decision to prolong its presence, citing the Lebanese army’s incomplete deployment in all areas of southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing a military presence in the region.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun released a statement addressing the people of southern Lebanon, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reassured them of his efforts to uphold their rights and dignity, urging them to exercise restraint and trust in the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key figure in Hezbollah’s alliance, called for urgent international intervention to compel Israel to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories following the tragic events on Sunday.
The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed one protester’s death and 10 injuries in Houla, another fatality in Aitaroun along with 11 injuries, and a third casualty in Blida with one injury. Additional injuries were reported in Mays al-Jabal, Markaba, Bani Hayyan, Odaisseh, Rab Thalatin, and Kfar Kila.
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the protests, with the army’s Arabic language spokesperson issuing a warning for residents of the border area to refrain from attempting to return to their villages. An Associated Press team found themselves stranded overnight at a UNIFIL base near Mays al-Jabal after Israeli forces erected roadblocks, reporting gunshots and loud noises the following morning as protesters gathered nearby.
The situation remains tense in southern Lebanon as both sides continue to navigate the delicate balance between security concerns and the aspirations of the local population.
