Israeli Troops Fire on Journalists in Southern Lebanon, Ceasefire Mostly Holding

Israel imposes curfew across southern Lebanon, warns civilians not to return home

There were pre-dawn celebrations in parts of the Lebanese capital city of Beirut as a ceasefire with Israel came into effect. The hope is that this will end the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the constant airstrikes across much of the country.

Just about 15 hours into the ceasefire, it is mostly holding. There have been some reports of Israeli troops firing on civilians, however. In particular Israeli troops opened fire on journalists in the southern town of Khiam, wounding several.

Khiam is only a few miles from the Israeli border, near the city of Kiryat Shmona. The Lebanese Army arrived in Khiam this morning and the journalists were there to cover the withdrawal of Israeli troops per the ceasefire. Instead they got shot by Israeli forces, and taken to Hasbaya Hospital. Lebanese forces have subsequently sealed all entrances to the town.

Many displaced from Lebanon’s south had been hopeful they could return home now that the ceasefire is in place. Israel warned almost immediately after the ceasefire took effect that all their evacuation zones across Lebanon remain in effect. Lebanon’s government has also warned civilians from the south against trying to return home yet.

Doubling down on that lack of a return to normalcy, Israel has now also imposed a curfew across southern Lebanon, declaring travel south of the Litani River “absolutely forbidden.” The curfew began at 5:00 PM local time and continues through the night. It will reportedly be lifted at 7:00 AM, though the evacuation zones will remain.

Calm isn’t exactly returning to northern Israeli either. The head of the council in Metula, a small village oppose from Khiam on the Israeli side of the border, condemned the ceasefire and advised people not to return yet. A number of displaced Israelis were also critical of the ceasefire, saying the military hadn’t “finished the job” against Hezbollah.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.