DEFIANCE AT THE LITANI: Hezbollah Flags Fly Over Rebuilt Bridges as Thousands Surge South Despite IDF Warnings
"The Litani bridges are open: Despite IDF strikes, rapid repairs allow thousands to flood back into South Lebanon as the 10-day ceasefire begins. Watch as Hezbollah supporters celebrate with portraits of Nasrallah and Khamenei, claiming 'victory' amidst a massive wave of returnees."
Just hours after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight, the reality on the ground has challenged earlier Israeli defense pledges. Despite vows from Defense Minister Israel Katz to "destroy" the bridges over the Litani River, rapid overnight repairs have already allowed tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese citizens to begin their journey home.
Rapid Reconstruction Under Cover of Night
Throughout the conflict, the IDF employed a strategy of "severing" Southern Lebanon from the rest of the country by repeatedly striking the bridges over the Litani River. The goal was twofold: preventing the return of residents to designated "kill zones" and blocking Hezbollah from moving weapons and "Radwan Force" terrorists southward.
However, in the early hours of Friday morning, the situation shifted:
A Mass Return Despite Warnings
An estimated 1.2 million people were displaced within Lebanon during the fighting. Despite official warnings from both the IDF and the Lebanese Army to delay their return, a massive wave of movement was triggered by the 10-day ceasefire agreement.
Beirut: Residents of the Dahiya district, Hezbollah’s stronghold, flooded back into the streets amid celebratory gunfire.
Celebrations and Defiance
The return to the south quickly transformed into mass demonstrations of support for Hezbollah and its patrons. Supporters were seen waving Hezbollah flags and carrying portraits of the late Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, both of whom were assassinated by Israel during the escalation.
The Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Akhbar echoed this sentiment in its morning edition with the defiant headline: "The Era of Victories Remains."
The 10-Day Ceasefire Framework
The current calm is part of a U.S.-mediated "confidence-building" agreement. Key terms include:
While the diplomatic machinery begins to turn, the rapid restoration of movement to the Litani River highlights the immense challenge of maintaining the "buffer zone" envisioned at the start of the campaign.
While most moved freely, residents of Al-Khiyam were reportedly halted at a Lebanese Army checkpoint, as parts of the town remain under IDF operational control.