Lebanese army deploys in Aitaroun of southern country amid Israeli attacks

BEIRUT

The Lebanese army announced Saturday that its military units were deployed in the south amid escalating Israeli attacks.

"Military units have been deployed in the town of Aitaroun in the Bint Jbeil district, in the central sector, and other border areas south of the Litani River, in coordination with the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement,” it said in a statement.

It added that the deployment is in response to "the continued Israeli aggression, including the burning of homes in several towns, such as Aitaroun, Rab Thalathin, and Adaisseh in the Marjayoun district, as well as two airstrikes targeting vehicles involved in the retrieval of martyrs' bodies in the town of Taybeh, Marjayoun district."

The statement noted that "in light of these aggressions, the army command urges citizens to adhere to official instructions issued in its statements, follow the guidance of deployed military units, and coordinate with local authorities to ensure their safety."

The Lebanese army reaffirmed its commitment to "continuing efforts to implement UN Resolution 1701 and carrying out necessary field operations in several locations south of the Litani River."

Israel was to complete its army’s withdrawal from Lebanon by Jan. 26 under a ceasefire deal, but it refused and the deadline was extended to Feb. 18, according to the White House.

At least 26 people have been killed and 221 injured by Israeli gunfire since Jan. 26, as residents attempt to return to villages in southern Lebanon, according to local health authorities.

The truce ended shelling between Israel and the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, that began in October 2023 after the onslaught in the Gaza Strip commenced, and escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

The more than a year of fighting killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and injured many others.