Israeli forces killed 22 people in Lebanon on Sunday as residents were trying to return to their homes after Israel failed to meet deadline for withdrawing its troops from the area.
According to Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli forces attacked people as they tried to enter locations that were still under occupation, killing dozens of people, including two women and a Lebanese soldier. At least 83 people were injured as Israeli troops opened fire at them.Thousands of residents returned to towns and villages along the Israeli border despite the warning by their army, the UN and Israeli army that the area remained unsafe.
The Israeli military said it had fired "warning shots in multiple areas" of southern Lebanon. Earlier Friday, Israel said it would keep troops in south of Lebanon despite the Sunday deadline stipulated by the US-brokered deal reached in November. The deal had ended 14 months of conflicts between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants and set a 60-day deadline for the Israeli troops’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese army troops would be deployed in the area. However, Israel refused to withdraw its troops, saying the Lebanese army had failed to deploy in all areas of southern Lebanon to ensure that Hezbollah militants do not establish their presence on the border.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Sunday that “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, and I am following up on this issue at the highest levels to ensure your rights and dignity.”
Addressing the residents, Aoun urged them to “exercise self-restraint and trust in the Lebanese Armed Forces". In turn, the Lebanese army, called on residents to follow military instructions to ensure their safety.
Israeli spokesperson for the Israeli military, Avichay Adraee blamed the incident on Hezbollah, accusing the Iran-affiliated militant group of sending “rioters” to the area and "trying to heat up the situation to cover up its situation and status in Lebanon and the Arab world".
