Tensions rose in southern Lebanon on Monday after a deadline for Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanon as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese group “Hezbollah“ expired, DPA reported.
Three people were killed and 31 wounded in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, where people are trying to return to their homes, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
People have been gathering since early morning today and trying to return to their villages and towns in the border areas of southern Lebanon, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The Israeli military warned residents not to return to the region on Monday and accused “Hezbollah“ causing tension.
Images posted online showed people climbing over a barbed wire fence and entering the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Qila, carrying “Hezbollah“ flags.
Lebanese media reported that the Israeli army had captured two people in the town of Houla.
Video footage posted online showed a convoy of vehicles trying to enter the town of Aita al-Shab despite warnings from the Israeli army that it was still in the area.
Some locals are determined to return to their homes in the region. “We are determined to enter our villages, no matter the cost,“ said Fatima from the town of Mais al-Jabal.
“We are here as civilians, not as armed people. "We are the people of this land," said Mohammed from the town of Maroun al-Ras.
According to witnesses, people entered Maroun al-Ras, facing Israeli tanks stationed nearby.