Middle East conflict: Tensions in Lebanon after the deadline

After the expiry of an important deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, fatal incidents in South Libanon have once again been fatal. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 22 people were killed by Israeli fire, including a soldier. Another 124 were injured, including nine minors and a paramedic. Local residents had tried to return to their places of residence in the south despite the still stationed Israeli troops.

The UN Peace Mission in Lebanon (Unifil) warned that further violence will undermine the fragile security situation. The Israeli military “has to avoid fire to civilians in Lebanese territory,” warned Unifil.

At the end of November, Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia had agreed on a ceasefire after more than one year. The agreement originally also provided for the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from Lebanon within 60 days. According to the latest Israeli information, this will be delayed. The Lebanon had not yet fully implemented its part of the agreement, the office of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the decision. The Lebanese army, which is to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and prevent the Hisbollah from returning to the area, does not move up quickly enough.

No information about possible victims of Israel’s army

Upon request, Israel’s military said that suspects had approached troops and the Israeli soldiers therefore made warning shots to avert threats. Several people were arrested and were interrogated on site. The army did not provide information on possible victims at first.

Since early Sunday morning, residents in places in the south have gathered near the Israeli border, as the State Agency NNA reported. Photos and videos showed residents with yellow flags of the Hezbollah and auto-corsos with portraits of the Hisbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah.

“We are determined to enter our villages – at whatever price,” said a woman named Fatima of the German Press Agency. A man named Mohammed said he wanted to enter his house with his family. “We have that,” he said. A man named Ali said the period of 60 days for the agreed withdrawal of the Israeli troops from Lebanon. “You should have pulled off. They are occupiers and this is our country. “

A video showed a group of residents standing in front of an Israeli tank, others gathered on country roads before blockages from the Israeli army. There were sometimes pictures of women who stand in the way of tanks and then talk to Israeli soldiers.

UN: Conditions did not yet return to the south

The conditions in the country did not yet allow residents to return to the south, explained UN special coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plaschaert. The violence in the country has decreased significantly, but there are always violations of UN Resolution 1701. Their implementation is the only way to “end the latest darkest chapter in the conflict and open a new one,” said Hennis-Plaschaert with. UN Resolution 1701 stipulates, among other things, that the Hisbollah withdraws behind the Litani river about 30 kilometers north of the Israeli-Libanese border. The Lebanese army should monitor compliance with the agreement.

According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army tried to keep residents away from places in which the troops are still stationed. The army said that they will be informed about places for a safe return to the south. “Until then, we ask you to wait.” Previous orders about areas that have not been accessible remained effective.

Libanon’s President Joseph Aoun said: “I share the joy of the people in the south about the triumph of justice and call them up and trust in the (Lebanese) armed forces.”

The Lebanese army, in turn, said it has not been able to station its troops in the south as agreed. She would accompany residents on the return. The army threw the Israeli military a break in the sovereignty of the Lebanon and also a break of the ceasefire.