Israeli forces withdrew from certain border villages in southern Lebanon as per a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, but maintained their presence in five strategic observation posts within Lebanon. This sparked condemnations from Lebanese leaders who viewed the continued presence as a violation of the agreement, while Hezbollah also voiced its disapproval. Lebanese soldiers moved into the vacated areas, clearing roadblocks and searching for unexploded ordnance. Many villagers returned to find their homes devastated by the year-long conflict and the aftermath of the ceasefire.
Israel i forces withdrew Tuesday from border villages in southern Lebanon under a deadline spelled out in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the latest Israel - Hezbollah war, but stayed put in five strategic overlook locations inside Lebanon . A person walks near damaged buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila on Tuesday.
Many houses in southern Lebanon were demolished during the more than year-long conflict or in the two months after November's ceasefire agreement, when Israeli forces were still occupying the area. Israeli forces withdrew Tuesday from border villages in southern Lebanon under a deadline spelled out in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, but stayed put in five strategic overlook locations inside Lebanon. Top Lebanese leaders denounced the continued presence of the Israel troops as an occupation and a violation of the deal, maintaining that Israel was required to make a full withdrawal by Tuesday. The troops' presence is also a sore point for the militant Hezbollah group, which has demanded action from the authorities. Lebanese soldiers moved into the areas from where the Israeli troops pulled out and began clearing roadblocks set up by Israeli forces and checking for unexploded ordnance. They blocked the main road leading to the villages, preventing anyone from entering while the military was looking for any explosives left behind. Most of the villagers waited by the roadside for permission to go and check on their homes, but some pushed aside the roadblocks to march in. Elsewhere, the army allowed the residents to enter. Civil defence members carry a body in Kfar Kila on Tuesday, after residents were able to return following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some areas in Lebanon. Many of their houses were demolished during the more than year-long conflict or in the two months after November's ceasefire agreement, when Israeli forces were still occupying the area.In the border village of Kfar Kila, people were stunned by the amount of destruction, with entire sections of houses wiped out. 'What I'm seeing is beyond belief. I am in a state of shock,' said Khodo Suleiman, a construction contractor, pointing to his destroyed home on a hilltop. 'There are no homes, no plants, nothing left,' said Suleiman, who had last been in Kfar Kila six months ago. 'I am feeling a mixture of happiness and pain.' In the main village square, Lebanese troops deployed as a military bulldozer removed rubble from the street.The ceasefire in Lebanon was given a last-minute extension over the weekend after the Israeli military opened fire on civilians trying to return home — killing at least 22. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli army 'will stay in a buffer zone in Lebanon in five control posts' to guard against any ceasefire violations by Hezbollah. He also said the army had erected new posts on the Israeli side of the border and sent reinforcements there.However, Lebanon's three top officials — the country's president, prime minister and parliament speaker — said in a joint statement that Israel's continued presence at the five locations was in violation of the ceasefire agreement. They called on the UN Security Council to take action to force a complete Israeli withdrawal. 'The continued Israeli presence in any inch of Lebanese territory is an occupation, with all the legal consequences that result from that according to international legitimacy,' the statement said. The Israeli troop presence was also criticized in a joint statement by the UN special co-ordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the head of the UN peacekeeping force in the country, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro. Israeli soldiers walk in the buffer zone near the Israel-Lebanon border, as seen from Israel, on Tuesday. The two warned, however, that this should not 'overshadow the tangible progress that has been made' since the ceasefire agreement.Near the Lebanese villages of Deir Mimas and Kfar Kila, hundreds of villagers were gathered early on Tuesday morning as an Israeli drone flew overhead. Atef Arabi, who had been waiting with his wife and two daughters before sunrise, was eager to see what's left of his home in Kfar Kila. 'I am very happy I am going back even if I find my home destroyed,' said the 36-year-old car mechanic. 'If I find my house destroyed, I will rebuild it.' Later on Tuesday, Kfar Kila's mayor, Hassan Sheet, told The Associated Press that 90 per cent of the village homes are completely destroyed, while the remaining 10 per cent are damaged. 'There are no homes nor buildings standing,' he said, adding that rebuilding will start from scratch. Residents inspect the damage in Yaroun, Lebanon, on Tuesday, near the border with Israel. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah began firing rockets across the border on Oc
Israel Lebanon Hezbollah Ceasefire Withdrawal Border Villages UN Security Council Reconstruction Damage
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