The municipalities of Deir Mimas and Deir Siryan in southern Lebanon called on residents Saturday to avoid entering their villages, on the fourth day of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

"It is strictly prohibited to access all agricultural lands and olive groves in the village," stated the municipality of Deir Mimas in a statement issued in coordination with the Lebanese Army. The statement also emphasized that it is "strictly prohibited to bring or hire anyone from outside the village." It added, "The municipality is in contact with security services and will coordinate with the Lebanese Army and relevant authorities to ensure all measures are in place for your safe return."

Similarly, the municipality of Deir Siryan stated, "Following threats from the [Israeli] enemy to prevent returning to villages near the border, including ours, and after contacting the concerned parties, we call on residents to evacuate the village to ensure their safety."

Earlier on Saturday, the Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, called on southern residents to avoid entering several villages. "You are prohibited, until further notice, from going to the following villages and their surroundings: Shebaa, Hebbariyeh, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Shaqra, Baraachit, Yater and Mansouri," he said on X.

This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.

Les municipalités de Deir Mimas et Deir Seriane appellent les habitants à éviter de se rendre dans leurs villages