Israel blocks access to border villages in South Lebanon

The Israeli government on Wednesday instructed the army to block access to border villages in South Lebanon for residents wishing to return to their homes, according to the daily Haaretz.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office justified this measure “in accordance with the first phase of the ceasefire plan”, adding that the Israeli army arrested “four Hezbollah agents, including a local commander” , who allegedly entered what he describes as a “restricted access zone”.

Earlier in the day, journalists were targeted by Israeli soldiers as they attempted to approach the occupied village of Khiam in Marjeyoun district. Associated Press photographer Mohammad Zaatari was shot in the leg while trying to take a photo of an Israeli Merkava tank, along with a correspondent for the Russian Sputnik agency, Abdel Qader al -Bai, hit by shrapnel, and his colleague from the newspaper al-Akhbar Ali Hachicho, who reported the incident to our correspondent in South Lebanon, Mountasser Abdallah.

Access blocked to the south of Litani

The chief of staff of the Israeli army, Herzi Halevi, affirmed for his part that “in accordance with the rules approved by the Minister of Defense, the Prime Minister and the cabinet, members of Hezbollah who approach of our forces, the border area and the villages located in the demarcated area will be targeted.” He also stressed that “the fighting in Lebanon was carried out with determination and the application of the agreement will be even more so”.

Earlier in the day, Arabic-speaking Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a series of directives to Lebanese returning home in a video posted on the localities where the Israeli army is located, which may expose them to danger.” He announced that between 5 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday, “it will be prohibited to travel south of the Litani.” The Israeli army will behave “firmly” in the face of any “violation” of the ceasefire agreement, he said.