The Israeli military also advised against residents of southern Lebanon returning to their homes as they continue to target Hezbollah in the region.
Israel will continue its operations on the ground in southern Lebanon despite agreeing to a ceasefire, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on June 4.
Israel and Lebanon announced on June 3 that they had agreed to implement a ceasefire.
Katz said that Lebanese residents who had been forced to leave their homes in the area by the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF’s) ongoing mission would not be allowed to return.
His comments came a day after Lebanon and Israel agreed to implement a ceasefire during talks in Washington, with the deal contingent on a cessation of fire from the Hezbollah terrorist group.
“The declaration of principles between Israel and the Lebanese government in Washington includes a declaration on the goal of disarming Hezbollah throughout Lebanon and condemning Iran’s involvement in Lebanon and the region,” Katz said, according to Israeli outlet Ynet.
“The ceasefire is conditional on the early removal of Hezbollah terrorists from the entire area south of the Litani (river) and the creation of a demilitarized zone, with the IDF continuing its fire and activity in the area at this stage; the IDF remaining in the security zone in Lebanon up to the yellow line, including in the Beaufort area and without the return of the population.”
Katz added that the “continued thwarting of terrorist infrastructure on the ground” and “freedom of action for Israel, with American backing, to strike in Beirut in response to fire at Israeli communities and territory,” were also conditions of the agreement.
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that Lebanese Civil Defense Authorities had urged displaced persons to postpone their return until official statements are issued regarding their return to the southern villages, on June 4.
They also warned against approaching areas affected by airstrikes due to unexploded ordnance.
IDF Issues Warning to Residents
The IDF also issued a warning to the residents of southern Lebanon, saying that it continues to target Hezbollah facilities and infrastructure located in and near villages in the region.
The IDF’s Arabic language spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, said in a June 4 post on X that “fighting in southern Lebanon is ongoing” and that the IDF does “not intend to harm” those living in the area.
“For your safety, refrain from traveling south of the Zahrani River until further notice! Anyone who travels south puts their life at risk,” he said.
By Guy Birchall
