BEIRUT: Residents of the southern Lebanese border towns of Aitaroun, Houla, and Yaroun returned to inspect their homes on Sunday.
Returnees described “huge and terrifying destruction” in Aitaroun and Houla. Tarif Salami, a member of the Aitaroun Municipal Council, stated: “The destruction in the neighborhoods of Aitaroun is beyond description, and we can say that the situation in the town is catastrophic.”
The Israeli forces that invaded the villages remain in place and continue to threaten to open fire on returning locals.
They also detained a fisherman from the Juhair family in Ras Al-Abiad, near Naqoura, while he was sailing with his brother on their boat.
Roads from Wadi Al-Hojeir and Wadi Al-Salouqi were opened on Sunday morning to convoys of Lebanese wishing to return to their homes.
The Lebanese Armed Forces are already present in some villages, and residents from others were escorted on their journey back.
Checkpoints have been established at village entrances to manage the influx of residents and ensure the safety of returnees.
Pro-Hezbollah caretaker Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram said southern residents would not wait for a statement to return to their villages.
“We uphold the legitimacy of the Lebanese constitution, and people are the source of authority. Today, they are demonstrating authority and capability.”
The residents of Kfarkila waited in the corridor that connects their town to Deir Mimas, waving Lebanese flags.
They called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, which conducted a large-scale attack in Kfarkila on Saturday night, targeting 10 houses.
A video shared on social media showed Lebanese soldiers dismantling the first fence in the area, allowing residents of Kfarkila to enter.
As the Lebanese Armed Forces redeployed in Aitaroun, residents returned to their town on foot, arriving in several neighborhoods despite the ongoing presence of Israeli forces on the outskirts.
Lebanese bulldozers cleared the roads to Yaron for residents to return, but Israeli forces fired on the crowd to halt their advance.
An Israeli military convoy launched two sound bombs at residents, but they remain determined to enter the town.
Community gatherings in support of Hezbollah have taken place in the town of Maroun Al-Ras. Residents spread out on the ground near the position of the Lebanese Armed Forces and raised the party’s flags on nearby trees. In response, Israeli forces fired shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Several residents of Adaisseh gathered at the town entrance and came under Israeli gunfire.
To apply popular pressure for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the people of Beit Yahoun attempted to enter the town, accompanied by Lebanese soldiers, but came under gunfire.
Israeli forces have extended their occupation of the border region until Feb. 18, continuing to hinder the return of residents to their villages, much of which have been destroyed.
The Israeli strategy has made much of the border area uninhabitable for residents for the foreseeable future.
On Saturday night, Israeli soldiers burned houses in Adaisseh and Rab El-Thalathine. Israeli Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents of the area where the Israeli military is stationed, stating that “any individual who travels south is putting themselves at risk.”
The Israeli Army remains active in the area, restricting movement southward.
“For your safety, you are advised not to return to your residences in the affected areas until further notice.”
Adraee stated that the deployment process was progressing gradually.
In some sectors, he said that the process was delayed and needed more time to ensure that Hezbollah could not regain its presence on the ground.
He indicated that Israel would continue its current approach and would soon inform residents about the areas to which they could return.
“Until then, do not allow Hezbollah to return and exploit you in an attempt to cover up the devastating consequences of its irresponsible decisions at the expense of Lebanon’s security,” he said.
Israeli media reported that Lebanese residents returning to their villages were being observed by Israeli intelligence to detect any Hezbollah attempts to reposition in the area.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that military leaders in Israel recommended maintaining control over strategic positions in southern Lebanon until the full readiness of the Lebanese Army was verified.
Media reports indicate that the Israeli military was planning outposts in each of the border towns for what they describe as “defensive purposes.”
