IDF official says Hezbollah operatives were among those trying to return to south Lebanon

An Israeli military official says hundreds of Lebanese, among them Hezbollah operatives, tried to reach villages in southern Lebanon today while carrying out “provocations.”

The official says the IDF had prepared for civilians attempting to reach the border villages today — the end of the 60-day truce — by which time Israel was supposed to withdraw from south Lebanon.

“The IDF continues to operate, under the directives of the political echelon, in several areas of southern Lebanon,” the official says, noting that per the agreement, Israel does not need to withdraw on day 60 of the ceasefire, but rather only when the Lebanese army deploys to south Lebanon and Hezbollah withdraws to north of the Litani River.

The official says that discussions on extending the ceasefire to allow for the IDF’s gradual withdrawal to be completed are being held between Israeli political officials and the United States, and between the US and Lebanon.

The official says that the hundreds of Lebanese civilians and Hezbollah operatives who tried to reach the south Lebanon villages today are not near the Israeli border currently.

“IDF forces are deployed alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces, to prevent the return of enemy [combatants] and civilians beyond the agreed line,” the official says.

The IDF says troops fired warning shots and opened fire “to remove threats.” Soldiers also detained several suspects.

Lebanese authorities reported 15 dead, including a member of the Lebanese army.

The military official says it is aware of the claims, but the details regarding the killed Lebanese soldier are being looked into.

“The IDF continues to operate per the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon and is following attempts by Hezbollah to return to southern Lebanon,” the official adds.