“Israeli” fire wounds five in south Lebanon as residents try to return after ceasefire deadline
BEIRUT – “Israeli” fire wounded five people in south Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanese media and security sources said, as residents sought to return to their homes in the border area where the occupation forces remained on the ground after a deadline for their withdrawal passed.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that “Israeli” forces opened fire on residents of the village of Kfar Kila after they crossed a barricade put up by the occupation.
On Friday, “Israel” announced its intention to extend the presence of its troops beyond the Sunday deadline set by the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, without specifying how long its forces would stay.
The deal stipulated that the occupation forces should withdraw from south Lebanon as Hezbollah’s weapons and fighters were removed from the area and the Lebanese army deployed. This was to be completed within a 60-day period, which concluded on Sunday morning.
In a statement, the Lebanese army stated that “Israel” is procrastinating the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon as required under the ceasefire deal. The army added that it had been continuing to implement its plan to reinforce its deployment south of the Litani River since the ceasefire took effect.
“Delays occurred in a number of the phases as a result of procrastination in the withdrawal by the Israeli enemy, which complicated the mission of the army’s deployment,” the statement said, adding that the army “maintains its readiness to complete its deployment as soon as the Israeli enemy withdraws.”
