Search
Search

LEBANON CEASE-FIRE

New Incidents in south Lebanon involving the Israeli army, clashes between smugglers in the Bekaa

The Lebanese army is expected to finish deploying in Bint Jbeil in the coming days.

New Incidents in south Lebanon involving the Israeli army, clashes between smugglers in the Bekaa

The smoke produced by the detonation of unexploded munitions in the vicinity of Baalbeck on Sunday. (Photo shared by L'Orient Today's correspondent Sarah Abdallah)

While the residents of Gaza were following the developments of the truce between the Hamas movement and Israel, which eventually came into effect on Sunday morning, the cease-fire in south Lebanon was once again disrupted by incidents involving the Israeli army, but no casualties were reported. Armed clashes between Lebanese and Syrian smugglers were also reported in the Bekaa.

In south Lebanon, at dawn, an Israeli bulldozer conducted a "hostile maneuver" in the vicinity of the Bab al-Thanieh area, east of the Marjayoun plain, reported the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

According to L'Orient Today's correspondent in south Lebanon, the Israeli army is supposed to have withdrawn from this area. However, it is still positioned on Hamames Hill, which is south of the town of Khiam.

Read more

International community 'will not accept a return to war', says Guterres as he concludes visit to Lebanon

Also according to L'Orient Today's correspondent, drones were continuously flying over Lebanese airspace above Saida and the Palestinian camps, producing a characteristic sound clearly audible to the population, while preparations were underway in the Palestinian camps to celebrate the start of the truce. Another Israeli drone was flying at low altitude over the eastern part of south Lebanon, notably the villages of Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, and other villages in the Sour district.

By late morning, Israeli soldiers entered the village of Ain Arab in the Hasbaya district aboard several transport vehicles. Several farmers were in their fields at the time of this incursion. Later, residents reported that they were questioned and then released.

Return of residents to Bint Jbeil

On Sunday afternoon, Israeli soldiers fired machine guns at houses on the outskirts of the village of Houla (Marjayoun). The Lebanese army sent additional troops to Bint Jbeil to strengthen its presence as part of its deployment, which is expected to be completed in the coming days. The deployment of the soldiers in other villages of south Lebanon, particularly along the border, will soon be implemented.

The mayor of Bint Jbeil, in a statement, said that the residents should be able to return "by tomorrow (Monday) at 2 p.m. after the army strengthened its presence and redeployed completely in the town." Another statement is expected to be issued on Monday morning to confirm the return.

An explosion, whose source has not been identified, was also heard in woods on the outskirts of Yater (Bint Jbeil).

The remains of a victim were found under the rubble in the Jlahieh neighborhood in eastern Khiam by Civil Defense teams working in coordination with the army. The remains were transported to Marjayoun Governmental Hospital where DNA tests will be conducted to determine the identity of the victim. The searches will resume on Monday morning to possibly retrieve other bodies in this village.

In the Palestinian camps in Sour, celebrations were also organized to mark the entry into effect of the cease-fire in Gaza on Sunday morning. Hamas organized marches in the camps of Rachidieh and Burj al-Shemali, during which portraits of Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh and Palestinian flags were brandished. Pastries were distributed to passersby in the Ain al-Hilweh camp (Saida).

Clashes on the Syrian Border

In the Bekaa, armed clashes between Lebanese and Syrian smugglers were reported on Sunday afternoon at the al-Arid/al-Qasr crossing point, near the Lebanese locality of al-Qasr (Baalbeck-Hermel), a short distance from the Syrian border, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the Bekaa.

The clashes continued in the afternoon, and the Lebanese army deployed in the sector to counter any entry of armed elements from the Syrian side. Furthermore, a Syrian fighter who had crossed into Lebanon was arrested by members of clans from al-Qasr. Stray bullets hit houses or fell into agricultural fields in al-Qasr and Sahlat al-May, in Hermel.

Earlier in the day, the Lebanese army announced on X that one of its soldiers was slightly injured by a mine explosion near one of the border posts occupied by Palestinian factions, which it regained control of by the end of 2024, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, overthrown on Dec. 8 by a coalition led by the Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTC). The Lebanese army also destroyed unexploded rockets left by Israeli attacks in this part of Lebanon, and explosions were heard around the Taybeh firing range.

The two-month period set to implement the ceasefire arrangements between Hezbollah and Israel, which came into effect on Nov. 27, ends in a week. During his visit to Lebanon between Thursday and Saturday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres assured that the international community will not allow the war to resume.

While the residents of Gaza were following the developments of the truce between the Hamas movement and Israel, which eventually came into effect on Sunday morning, the cease-fire in south Lebanon was once again disrupted by incidents involving the Israeli army, but no casualties were reported. Armed clashes between Lebanese and Syrian smugglers were also reported in the Bekaa.In south Lebanon,...