The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents in southern Lebanon not to move south of the Litani river, despite a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah coming into effect. Israeli soldiers reached the Litani river (at a point 2.5 miles from the Israeli border) on Tuesday for the first time since they began ground operations in the country in September, marking a symbolic milestone in their campaign on the day before the ceasefire began.
For the safety and security of the residents, the IDF's Arabic language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, emphasized that it is strictly prohibited to move southward toward the villages that the IDF has ordered to evacuate or toward IDF forces in the area. Any movement toward these areas puts individuals at risk. The warning specified that from 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday until 7 a.m. local time on Thursday morning, moving southward from the Litani river is strictly prohibited. It further stated that anyone located north of the Litani river is prohibited from moving south, and those located south of the Litani river must remain in place.
The IDF reminded residents that the Israeli forces are still deployed in their positions in southern Lebanon under the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The warning highlighted that the IDF will respond firmly to any movement that violates the ceasefire agreement. Despite the 60-day ceasefire agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon, which stipulates the complete withdrawal of IDF troops from southern Lebanon, the return of the troops will not take place immediately.
