
Lebanese soldiers (right) and Israeli troops gather near their vehicles on either side of a barbed-wire barrier, as an Israeli bulldozer dumps soil to build a barricade along a road in Burj al-Mlouk, in the border district of Marjayoun, southern Lebanon, on Jan. 25, 2025. (Credit: Rabih Daher/AFP)
The agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, stipulated a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon within 60 days, ending on Sunday. However, on the eve of the deadline, the Israeli army continued its actions in southern Lebanon, blocking all roads to eastern sector towns, according to correspondent Muntasser Abdallah and the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
On Saturday, the Israeli army sealed off roads by constructing sand barriers or destroying pavement with excavators. It issued a statement prohibiting residents of around 60 villages from returning to their homes. Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft patrolled the eastern sector, including the Marjayoun and Hasbaya districts, while drones flew over the Nabatieh region.
Residents also received phone calls in Arabic from international numbers, warning them not to return home. The Israeli army, however, clarified that it had "no intention of firing on the residents."
In the Qantara area of the Rashaya district, a resident was injured by a bullet reportedly fired from the Israeli side, according to locals. The individual was transported to Sheikh Ragheb Harb Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
Macron intervenes, Lebanese Army criticizes Israel
Against this backdrop, “President [Joseph] Aoun received a call from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who informed him of the contacts he is undertaking to ensure the cease-fire is upheld,” stated the Baabda presidential palace in a statement shared Saturday on its X account. President Aoun urged Macron to “pressure Israel to comply with the terms of the cease-fire agreement.”
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli army would not withdraw from southern Lebanon by the stipulated deadline.
In response, the Lebanese Army called on residents, “for their safety,” to delay returning to border areas due to mines and suspicious objects left behind as a result of Israeli violations.
The Lebanese Army also issued a statement denouncing “the procrastination of the Israeli enemy in its withdrawal, which complicates the army’s deployment,” as well as “continuous violations of the agreement and assaults on Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
Hezbollah escalated its rhetoric on Saturday, warning Israel of severe consequences if its forces do not withdraw from southern Lebanon. “If the occupier [Israel] does not withdraw, the gates of hell will open before its soldiers and their bases. No further details are needed,” said a “leading source” from Hezbollah, quoted by the Lebanese newspaper el-Liwa’. The party typically advises relying only on its official statements, not anonymous sources cited by media.
Sand barriers and blocked roads
On the ground, an Israeli unit equipped with Merkava tanks and bulldozers infiltrated the western outskirts of Houla, advancing toward Wadi Slouki, and from the village of Markaba toward Tallousseh (Marjayoun district). Tanks were filmed destroying the Wadi Slouki road at the Kabrikha-Bani Hayyan junction and constructing sand barriers.
Israeli vehicles also advanced on the hills of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya district), sweeping the area. A large explosion, reportedly caused by the Israeli army, was heard in the eastern part of Kfar Shuba. Additionally, the Israeli army blocked the Khallet Khachab road west of Mais al-Jabal (also in the Marjayoun district) with sand barriers.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army continues its deployment in villages evacuated by Israeli forces. In a statement, it confirmed that the deployment south of the Litani River is proceeding “in accordance with the mechanism established by the cease-fire monitoring committee, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).” It added that units are “working to open roads and address unexploded ordnance.”
Following the Lebanese Army’s deployment in Shihine and Jibbayn (Sour district), a joint team from the Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense recovered three bodies from rubble, residents reported.
In the Bint Jbeil district, the Israeli army opened fire on civilians as members of the Southern Council inspected an area near Shaqra, according to a correspondent. Additionally, an Israeli military unit entered the Doubeih citadel in Shaqra.
Restricted villages
The Israeli army has issued a list of villages whose residents are prohibited from returning, published by its Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee. These include:
Dhaira, Taybeh, Tireh, Naqoura, Abou Chach, Ibl al-Saqi, Bayyada, Jibbayn, Khreibeh, Khiam, Khirbeh, Matmoura, Mari, Odaisseh, Qlaya, Oum el Tout, Salib, Arnoun, Bint Jbeil, Beit Lif, Blida, Bani Hayyan, Al Boustan, Ain Arab Marjayoun, Debbine, Debhal, Deir Mimas, Deir Siryan, Houla, Halta, Hanine, Tayr Harfa, Yohmor, Yaroun, Yarine, Kfar Hammam, Kfar Kila, Kfar Shuba, Zalloutieh, Mhaybib, Mais al Jabal, Maysat, Marwahine, Maroun al Ras, Markaba, Adchit Qoussair, Ain Ebel, Ainata, Aita al-Shaab, Aitaroun, Alma al-Chab, Arab Louaizah, Qaouzah, Rob al Thalatine, Ramiyeh, Rmeish, Rashaya al Foukhar, Shebaa, Shihine, Shamah and Tallousseh.