Villagers have started returning to areas that were previously vacated by Israeli military forces in southern Lebanon, signaling a shift in the post-conflict landscape.
According to reports from Lebanon’s state news agency, Israel has withdrawn most of its troops from southern Lebanon, retaining only five strategic positions. This withdrawal is a crucial component of the ceasefire agreement that concluded a prolonged year-long conflict with the Shia militant group Hezbollah.
Israeli officials have stated that a contingent of troops will remain deployed inside Lebanon to safeguard the communities in northern Israel. In a strong response, Lebanese authorities have emphasized that Israel is obligated to withdraw entirely, asserting that any ongoing Israeli presence within Lebanese borders constitutes an occupation.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is expected to complete its withdrawal, while the Lebanese Armed Forces are required to take over and disarm all armed groups operating south of the Litani River, which is approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border. This area has historically been dominated by Hezbollah, which has been a significant presence in the region since its formation in 1982.
The recent conflict proved to be catastrophic, with Lebanese authorities reporting over 3,960 fatalities, a large portion of whom were civilians. Additionally, the conflict displaced around one million people from regions where Hezbollah was active. In contrast, Israeli officials reported that more than 80 Israeli soldiers and 47 civilians lost their lives, while roughly 60,000 citizens were forced to evacuate from northern Israel due to hostilities.
As the situation stabilizes, most displaced Lebanese nationals have begun returning to their homes, according to the United Nations. However, very few of those displaced in Israel have managed to return, reflecting the marked difference in recovery between the two countries.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are now strategically positioned in mountainous terrains along the internationally recognized border, signaling their intent to maintain a level of control and oversight in the area.
On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF would “temporarily remain in five strategic high points” deemed essential for national security. He remarked, “Once Lebanon fully implements its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, there will be no justification for holding these positions,” during a press conference in Jerusalem.
In the meantime, Lebanese soldiers have begun deploying into areas vacated by Israeli troops, taking steps to clear roadblocks and conduct thorough inspections for unexploded ordnance, which poses a serious threat to returning civilians. The Associated Press reported that many villagers have made their way back to their communities, even as they confront the reality of homes reduced to ruins by the conflict.
“I am overjoyed to be returning home, even if I find my house in ruins,” expressed 36-year-old Atef Arabi, who was making his way back to the village of Kfar Kila with his wife and two daughters. “If I discover my home is destroyed, I will rebuild it; my family and I will persevere.”
Originally, Israel’s withdrawal was slated to be completed within 60 days of the ceasefire agreement, with a deadline set for January 26, but it faced postponements and delays.
In a message shared on social media on Tuesday, Katz declared, “The IDF’s enforcement operations against Hezbollah will persist at full intensity. We will not allow a return to the precarious state of affairs that existed on October 7 [2023],” referencing the unprecedented attack orchestrated by Hamas gunmen from Gaza on that day. It was the following day that Hezbollah initiated its military campaign against Israel, claiming to act in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
