Lebanese army vehicles enter the town of Shamaa in south Lebanon. (Credit: X/@Lebarmy)
The Lebanese army redeployed on Tuesday in the village of Shamaa (Sour) in southern Lebanon, after the Israeli army's withdrawal, as part of the cease-fire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. The army had left this post at the start of the Israeli ground incursion in the south, at the end of September.
"Army units took position around the village of Shamaa-Sour, in coordination with UNIFIL and as part of strengthening their deployment in the region. They began entering the village as the Israeli enemy was withdrawing following contacts established by the technical monitoring committee of the cease-fire," the army published on X. "The deployment will be completed in a later phase, once the engineering studies of the specialized technical teams in demining and unexploded ordinances are finished."
The army command urged citizens "not to approach the area and to respect army instructions until the deployment is completed."
The army's commander, Joseph Aoun, paid tribute on Tuesday to the soldiers killed in combat with Israel in southern Lebanon. Speaking to the families of the victims, Aoun praised "the sacrifices of the soldiers who saved Lebanon during the last difficult phase" the country was going through.
"The sacrifices of our martyrs are an insignia on our chests. The military institution does not forget its martyrs who gave their lives to defend the homeland and its security since the army's creation until today," he stated. He finally hoped that the holidays would bring "security, peace, and serenity to the Lebanese people."
A shepherd injured in southern Lebanon
Despite the introduction of a cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, Beirut denounces multiple violations of the agreement by Israel, as the Israeli army continues its operations in southern Lebanon and prevents some residents from returning home. On Tuesday, a shepherd was shot in the shoulder from an Israeli position facing Rmeish (Bint Jbeil), while he was on his farm, on the outskirts of the village, residents told L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent. An Israeli artillery shell also fell on the outskirts of Shebaa (Hasbaya).
The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, urged the residents of southern Lebanon to avoid moving south of the villages of Shebaa, Hebbarieh, Arnoun, Yohmor, Zantara, Shaqra, Barasheet, Yater and Mansouri, and also banned access to more than 60 Lebanese villages.
"We remind the residents of southern Lebanon that they are prohibited, until further notice, from moving south to the outskirts of these villages and their surroundings," he stated on X. "The Israeli army forces do not intend to target you. Therefore, you are forbidden, until further notice, to return home."
Israel also banned access to the villages of Dhaira, Taybeh, Tiri, Naqoura, Abou Shash, Ibl al-Saqi, Bayada, Jibbain, Khiam, Khreibeh, Khirbeh, Matmoura, Mari, Odaisseh, Qlaia, Um al-Touteh, Sleib, Arnoun, Bint Jbeil, Beit Lif, Blida, Bani Hayan, Boustan, Ain Arab Marjayoun, Dibbain, Debaal, Deir Mimas, Deir Serian, Houla, Halta, Hanin, Tyr Harfa, Yohmor, Yaroun, Yarin, Kfar Hamam, Kfar Shouba, Zaloutieh, Mhaibib, Meis al-Jabal, Maysiyet, Marjayoun, Marwahin, Maroun al-Ras, Markaba, Adsheet, Qousseir, Ain Ebel, Ainata, Aita al-Shaab, Aitaroun, Alma al-Shaab, Arab al-Louaizeh, Rab al-Thalathine, Qouzah, Ramieh, Rashaya al-Foukhar, Rmeish, Shebaa, Shihine, Shamaa, Tallousse.
Lebanon filed a complaint against Israel with the U.N. on Dec. 24, for the first time since the cease-fire took effect on Nov. 27.
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles
