Lebanese Army Urges Residents to Delay Return to Border Towns
The Lebanese army called on residents of southern Lebanon to avoid returning to border towns for now, after hundreds of displaced residents began making their way back to villages evacuated during the fighting.
The Lebanese army called on residents of southern Lebanon to avoid returning to border towns for now, after hundreds of displaced residents began making their way back to villages evacuated during the fighting.
The announcement came Monday as reports of a possible ceasefire led many residents to begin returning south, including to areas that had been evacuated following IDF warnings.
“In light of the latest developments in the region and reports of a possible ceasefire, the army calls on residents to wait before returning to border villages and towns, and to follow the instructions of army units deployed in the field,” the Lebanese military said.
The army said the warning was intended to protect residents from possible Israeli strikes or violations.
Lebanese authorities also urged civilians to exercise caution in areas that had been targeted during the fighting. Residents were told to report any unexploded ammunition or suspicious objects to the nearest army post or other security forces.
The warning followed heavy traffic throughout the morning on roads leading from Beirut and northern areas toward southern Lebanon. Large traffic jams were reported along the Lebanese coastal road toward Sidon and Tyre, two major southern cities that had been included in IDF evacuation warnings during the war.
Traffic was also reported deeper inside the country, including on the road to Nabatieh, the second-largest city in southern Lebanon after Tyre. Convoys of cars, shepherds and returning residents were seen heading back toward villages and towns in the area.
The Lebanese army’s message reflects concern that the situation along the border remains unstable, even as residents try to return home after weeks of displacement. While the possibility of a ceasefire has raised hopes among civilians, the army is warning that unexploded ordnance, damaged infrastructure and the risk of renewed strikes still pose serious danger.
For now, Lebanese military officials are asking residents to wait for clearer instructions before returning to communities near the border.