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 the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take strong action if its soldiers are in danger. This came as masses of Lebanese civilians streamed south to return home despite clear instructions by the IDF and the Lebanese army not do so yet.

Around 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 area of Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold, groups were seen waving Hezbollah flags, while fireworks were set off in Nabatiyeh.

In the morning, the Lebanese army reiterated that the displaced residents “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, since the early morning 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 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 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.

Around 9:30 a.m., the IDF stated that troops “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 remove civilians from the area. Alleged footage from the incident showed people filming the border fence from the Lebanese side near the Israeli town Metula.

The IDF later claimed the suspects who approached the border were unarmed, and stopped dozens of 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, some 5 kilometers north of Metula, a Lebanese TV channel showed an IDF tank at the distance of only some hundreds of meters, live on TV. Shortly after, Lebanese sources reported that Israeli troops used machine gun fire to prevent residents from returning to the town.

A similar report came from the western Galilee, where residents reported hearing IDF artillery fire in the direction of Lebanon. Footage on social media showed Lebanese civilians who entered the town of Alma al-Sha’ab, opposite the Israeli town of Hanita, and took down 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 Azoulai, 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.”