22 dead from IDF fire in Lebanon as residents ignore warnings not to rush south after withdrawal deadline expires

At least 22 people were killed and over 100 wounded across southern Lebanon by the IDF on Sunday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, as troops opened fire on crowds of Lebanese rushing back to their towns after the original deadline for the Israeli withdrawal expired overnight.

In the past days, the IDF reiterated its standing instructions to Lebanese civilians not to return south and enter the zones that are still being occupied by Israeli troops.

Despite the 60-day deadline ending Sunday morning, Israel declared on Friday: “Since the ceasefire agreement has yet to be fully enforced by the Lebanese state, the gradual withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the US.”

The statement also noted that the agreement included “the understanding that the withdrawal process could possibly continue beyond the 60 days.”

#عاجل ‼️ تذكير جديد إلى سكان جنوب لبنان انه حتى إشعار آخر يحظر عليكم الانتقال جنوبًا إلى خط القرى ومحيطها
🔸جيش الدفاع لا ينوي استهدافكم ولذلك يحظر عليكم في هذه المرحلة العودة إلى بيوتكم من هذا الخط جنوبًا حتى إشعار آخر. كل من ينتقل جنوب هذا الخط - يعرض نفسه للخطر
🔸وكذلك يرجى… pic.twitter.com/OjXuTQuN5n

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) January 26, 2025

The IDF later stated that its forces "conducted warning fire to eliminate threats at several locations where suspects were identified approaching them."

Soldiers also arrested and interrogated several Lebanese who approached and threatened them, the military said.

IDF Arabic Spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee declared in an Arabic-language broadcast on Sunday, “As usual, Hezbollah puts its narrow interests above the interests of the Lebanese state and tries to heat up the situation through its mouthpieces, despite being the main reason for the destruction of the south.”

“In the near future, we will continue to inform you about the places to which you can return. Until then, we ask you to wait, and 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 the security of the State of Lebanon.”

After initial signals that the Trump administration opposed an extension, U.S. officials told the Jerusalem Post that the short extension had been approved but didn't support an extension of 30 more days, showing concern that the ceasefire might collapse.

Amid continuing reports of Israeli troops opening fire on Lebanese approaching its positions while ignoring warnings across southern Lebanon, new President Joseph Aoun issued a statement on Sunday morning saying he shares “the joy in the victory of our people in the south” but called on them to “exercise restraint and trust in the armed forces.”

A Lebanese security source speaking to the al-Hadath news outlet acknowledged that many civilians were ignoring instructions from the Lebanese army not to travel south and were putting themselves at risk.

Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Sunday reportedly held intensive talks with international parties in an attempt to pressure Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory.

The president also stated that “Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable,” and promised to “follow up this issue at the highest level to guarantee your rights and dignity.”

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday praised the “sustained involvement of the Lebanese armed forces” during a phone call with Aoun.

“The President of the Republic reiterated that the commitments made by the parties must be honored as soon as possible so that Lebanon can regain its sovereignty over the entire territory. The President of the Republic reiterated France's constant commitment to this end,” the Elysée palace stated.

Most reports of clashes on Sunday morning centered on the eastern sector of southern Lebanon, opposite Israel’s Galilee panhandle, after the IDF completed its withdrawal from most areas in the western and central sectors over the past 60 days.

The Lebanese Army announced on the weekend that its troops deployed in several more villages in the Bint Jbeil district in the central sector following an Israeli withdrawal from there.

The municipality chief of the Lebanese town Wazzani, located in the eastern sector, told the Lebanese L'Orient-Le Jour newspaper that he joined over 100 people who approached an Israeli position on Sunday morning. When they arrived, “an Israeli armored patrol began firing over [their] heads and around them.”

When the soldiers exited their vehicles and told them to leave, he said, “Together with the residents, I opposed the Israeli demand and told the Israelis that the 60-day deadline had expired, that we were returning to our land and that we wanted to return to our homes from which we had been displaced.”

Hezbollah repeatedly threatened Israel against extending the withdrawal deadline. “The continued presence of the enemy on our territory is unacceptable and constitutes an occupation,” Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan said over the weekend.

“We in the Resistance and Hezbollah are closely monitoring the situation, maintaining communication with Lebanese officials, and will take necessary measures, announcing these at the appropriate time,” he added.