The IDF fired warning shots Wednesday morning – mere hours into the Lebanon ceasefire – after it spotted a "vehicle with several suspects in a zone prohibited for movement," possibly Hezbollah operatives, along the border.
Soon after, another incident occurred, when a Lebanese man was spotted filming the border town of Metula, forcing the IDF to fire warning shots again.
Meanwhile, despite official IDF warnings about continued military presence in southern Lebanon, residents of the region began streaming back to their homes.
Video: Mere hours into ceasefire, Lebanese man films the Israeli northern town of Metula
The Diplomatic-Security Cabinet approved a comprehensive ceasefire agreement for the volatile northern border late Tuesday, with implementation beginning at 4 a.m. The deal features robust international monitoring mechanisms and a clear timeline for military withdrawal while maintaining Israel's right to self-defense.
مواطنون يعودون إلى صيدا بعد دخول وقف اطلاق النار حيز التنفيذ#lebanon24 pic.twitter.com/HqFsr7D0O8
— Lebanon 24 (@Lebanon24) November 27, 2024
It stipulates an immediate cessation of hostilities beginning tonight, followed by a 60-day withdrawal period for forces from Lebanese territory. The framework establishes stringent monitoring and enforcement protocols. A separate US diplomatic communication to Israel affirms Israel's right to respond to immediate threats and agreement violations should the designated mechanism fail to address them.
Key provisions:
- Complete IDF withdrawal from Lebanese territory within 60 days
- US to facilitate resolution of 13 border dispute points between Israel and Lebanon
- Lebanese Armed Forces to establish presence along Israel-Lebanon border in southern region
- UNIFIL forces to resume operations in the area
- US general to oversee implementation with control centers established in Beirut and Safed
- Formation of international oversight committee to monitor Hezbollah compliance
- Lebanese military tasked with ongoing dismantlement of Hezbollah military assets
- Separate provision preserves Israel's right to respond to immediate threats and violations if Lebanese forces fail to address them
Following the directive of the political echelon, the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon took effect at 04:00 today, and the IDF has been operating accordingly.
IDF troops are stationed at their positions in southern Lebanon.Over the past hour, the IDF identified a vehicle with…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 27, 2024
In a recorded media statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined three strategic rationales for the northern ceasefire: "First reason – focusing on the Iranian threat. Second reason – force refreshment and inventory replenishment. It's no secret there were major delays in weapons and ammunition supplies, and this delay is about to be resolved soon, this will protect our soldiers' lives and give us crushing power to complete our mission. Third reason – isolating the arena and isolating Hamas. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is alone in the battle. The pressure will increase and this will aid in the sacred mission of freeing our hostages."
In the hours following the implementation of the ceasefire, residents of South Lebanon began streaming back to their homes, disregarding official IDF warnings about the continued presence of military forces in the region.
