Two women flee the Israeli Army’s bombing of the city of Baalbek, in eastern Lebanon – Europa Press/Contacto/Marwan Naamani
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The Israeli Army shoots at vehicles with “suspects” traveling towards areas in the south
MADRID, 27 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Israeli Army declared this Wednesday, just hours after the ceasefire came into effect in Lebanon, that it will maintain its military deployment in the south of the country, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, and “prohibits” residents of Evacuated localities return to their homes until further notice.
The Arabic spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Colonel Avichai Adrai, stated on the social network X that the Hebrew Army “continues to be deployed in its positions in southern Lebanon.”
In the same message, Adrai has defended this announcement alluding to the “clauses” of the agreement, which came into force at 4:00 a.m. (local time), and has warned Lebanese citizens not to return to their homes.
“You are prohibited from heading towards villages that the IDF has requested to evacuate or towards IDF forces in the area. For your own safety and that of your loved ones, please refrain from traveling to the area,” he indicated, clarifying that the Israeli authorities “They will inform you of the safe date to return.”
These statements come while social networks have been filled with images showing queues of vehicles transporting displaced Lebanese to the southern and eastern regions of the country.
Shortly after, the Israeli Army confirmed that “the ceasefire agreement has come into force and the IDF is acting accordingly.” “IDF forces are prepared in their positions in southern Lebanon,” he said, before adding that soldiers have opened fire on several vehicles moving towards the area.
“During the last hour, the IDF identified several vehicles in Lebanese territory with suspects in a restricted area. The forces opened fire to prevent their arrival in the area and the suspects drove away,” he stressed, without for now there being any information about possible victims.
Furthermore, he emphasized that “the Air Force is prepared to operate throughout Lebanese territory and the air defense system is on maximum alert.” “There are no changes to the orders of the Interior Command. The IDF will act against anyone who attempts to violate the ceasefire agreement and will not allow harm to the security of residents in Israel,” he concluded.
For its part, the Lebanese Army has stated that it is adopting “the necessary measures” to deploy in the south of the country and has asked the population to “wait before returning to the towns located on the front line, to which “the forces of the enemy Israel have penetrated, facing their withdrawal in line with the ceasefire agreement.”