IDF instructed to shoot as Hezbollah terrorists try to return to southern Lebanon among masses of civilians

With the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel only several hours old, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed Israel Defense Forces to take strong action if its soldiers were in danger. This came as masses of Lebanese civilians streamed south to return to their evacuated homes despite clear instructions by the IDF and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) not to do so yet.

About noon on Wednesday, the IDF confirmed its "forces have been firing at suspects identified in a number of areas in southern Lebanon. The IDF is deployed in southern Lebanon and will enforce with fire any violation of the ceasefire agreement."

Shortly after the start of the ceasefire early Wednesday morning, IDF Arabic Spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee urged Lebanese civilians, “Do not move towards the villages that the IDF evacuated or towards the IDF forces in the area. For your protection and the safety of your families, don’t access the area. We will inform you about the safe time to return to your homes.”

Despite the announcement, footage on social media and Lebanese TV channels showed masses of civilians making their way south in large car convoys.

Hezbollah supporters celebrated the truce as a victory. In the district of Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut, groups of people were seen waving Hezbollah flags, while fireworks were set off in Nabatiyeh.

On Wednesday morning, the LAF reiterated its instructions, telling the displaced residents they “must wait to return to the frontline towns… and wait for the withdrawal of the IDF forces,” which is set to be completed only 60 days from now.

Despite this, from the early morning hours, there were several reports of Lebanese civilians, as well as Hezbollah operatives, approaching IDF troops and entering restricted areas.

Hezbollah operatives reportedly entered the town of Kfar Kila, which is only a few kilometers from the border.

“In view of the entry of Hezbollah personnel into Kfar Kila, Defense Minister Israel Katz directed the IDF to act firmly and without compromise in the face of this type of phenomena,” the Defense Ministry stated on Wednesday morning.

“Any Hezbollah-identified person who approaches restricted areas must be arrested, and if they endanger the IDF forces, they must be hit,” according to the statement.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., the IDF stated that its troops had “identified a number of vehicles in Lebanese territory with suspects in a restricted area. The forces fired to prevent their arrival in the area, and the suspects moved away.”

“The Air Force is prepared to operate in all Lebanese territory and the air defense system is in high readiness… The IDF will act against anyone who tries to violate the ceasefire agreement, and will not allow harm to the security of the residents of Israel.”

Another report by a Hezbollah-affiliated journalist claimed that the IDF fired five artillery shells at a border gate near Kfar Kila to disperse civilians from the area. Footage purportedly from the incident showed people filming the border fence from the Lebanese side near the Israeli town of Metula.

The IDF later claimed the suspects who approached the border were unarmed and stopped dozens of people just meters away from the border.

“Why do the citizens of Israel and the residents of the north need to read Hezbollah's mouthpiece this morning to understand what is happening meters from their homes? Why is the IDF spokesman silent since the incident and no one there is ready to provide answers about the incident? That’s not how you build trust,” commented Doron Kadosh, Army Radio’s military correspondent.

In the town al-Khiam, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Metula, a Lebanese TV channel showed live an IDF tank at a distance of only hundreds of meters away. Shortly after, Lebanese sources reported that Israeli troops used machine gun fire to prevent residents from returning to the town.

A similar report emerged from western Galilee, where residents reported hearing IDF artillery fire directed toward Lebanon. Social media footage showed Lebanese civilians entering the town of Alma al-Sha’ab, across from the Israeli town of Hanita, and removing a large Israeli flag from a tower.

According to Army Radio, another incident happened in Mais al-Jabal, where the IDF opened fire and hit several suspects.

“These are critical hours of redesigning the IDF's security policy in the north. These days may determine what security in the north will look like for years to come,” Kadosh said.

Metula Mayor David Azoulay sharply criticized what he called the “policy of containment,” reporting that, “Eight Hezbollah vehicles and a motorcycle arrived at the ruins of Kfar Kila. A great agreement, once again nothing but containment, nothing has changed since October 7.”