Raising Hezbollah flags, Lebanese southerners on Sunday defied Zionist threats and return to their villages as the 60-day deadline set by the ceasefire agreement for the Zionist enemy to withdraw from southern Lebanon expired at dawn.
A state of caution and anticipation prevailed on Sunday morning as the deadline expired at 4:00 a.m. (Beirut time), amid determination by the Lebanese citizens to return back to their home towns despite the occupiers delay in withdrawal and long weeks of attacks and violation of the Lebanese sovereignty.
In the early hours of Sunday, the Lebanese southerners gathered in several points near their villages across south Lebanon to enter their home towns. Many of them crossed on feet, defying the Zionist enemy forces who set earthen barriers at the entrance of several border towns.
A high number of casualties were reported, as the occupation forces opened fire at the citizens to prevent their advance towards their villages. The Lebanese Health Ministry announced that 22 people have been martyred and 124 others have been injured in the Israeli atatcks.
Videos circulated on social media showed Lebanese citizens raising Hezbollah flags and chanting pro-resistance slogans as they entered their towns near the border with occupied Palestine.
In a video, Lebanese citizens appeared mocking the Zionist enemy as they stood near the occupation forces and tanks in the town of Yaroun.
Occupation media was cited by Al-Manar as monitoring the movement of the Lebanese citizens in south Lebanon.
“Lebanese southerners return to their villages raising Hezbollah flags, how the ‘Israelis’ will return to north?”, Hebrew media wondered.
Marches roamed several Lebanese regions celebrating the Southerners to their towns and village.
Zionist Procrastination
The 60-day agreement, which was brokered by the US and France, stipulated the withdrawal of occupying troops from southern Lebanon.
However, the Zionist enemy has been stubborn on the issue, announcing that the occupation forces will remain in several points in the Lebanese territory, in a flagrant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
The Zionist move to stay in Lebanon comes amid continuous violations by the occupation army across Lebanon, including drone movement, strikes, shelling and advance of infantry forces and vehicles.
Lebanese Army Deployment
As stipulated in the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on November 27, following a 66-day Zionist aggression, the Lebanese Army is set to deploy across south Lebanon, including the area south of Litani River.
However, the national army’s deployment has been delayed as the Zionist enemy refuses to abide by the deal.
On Saturday, the Lebanese Army blamed the enemy over the delay of its units’ deployment south of Litani River.
In a statement, the army command said: “There has been a delay in a number of stages as a result of ‘Israeli’ procrastination in withdrawal, which complicates the army’s deployment mission.”
Hezbollah described Sunday, January 26, 2025, as a “Glorious Day of God” and a “majestic scene of honor and dignity crafted by the people of resistance.”
In a statement issued Sunday evening, the group praised the resilience of the Lebanese people, highlighting their deep connection to their land, their unwavering attachment to every grain of its soil, and their steadfast role as guardians of national sovereignty, standing resolutely against all threats and aggression.
“Since 2000, this scene has repeated itself. Through their heroic resistance, our people continue to drive out the enemy, reaffirming once again that there is no place for an occupier in this blessed land, watered by the blood of martyrs,” the statement added.
Hezbollah further highlighted the powerful symbolism of returning residents, carrying images of martyrs and resistance flags, as a testament to perseverance, steadfastness, and victory. “This unyielding will and indomitable spirit form the strongest weapon of the resistance,” the statement noted. It also recalled the words of the late sacred martyr, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, who described this strength as an “unbeatable point of power.”
The group reiterated that the resistance remains loyal to the sacrifices of its martyrs and that no force, no matter how mighty, can withstand the blessed popular wave seeking liberation and the ultimate defeat of the occupier.
Hezbollah also underscored the enduring value of the “Army-People-Resistance” equation, describing it as a tangible reality rather than a mere slogan. This unity, it said, shields Lebanon from the treachery of its enemies and is embodied daily through the sacrifices of its people.
The statement called on all Lebanese to stand united with their southern compatriots, reaffirming the values of national solidarity and striving together for true sovereignty defined by liberation and victory. Hezbollah urged the international community, especially the nations sponsoring recent agreements, to hold Israel accountable for its violations and crimes and to ensure its full withdrawal from Lebanese territories.
The statement concluded with a tribute to the martyrs and wounded who, through their sacrifices, paved the way for liberation and triumph. Hezbollah emphasized that these historic moments reaffirm Lebanon’s identity as a nation of honor, dignity, and unwavering resistance.