IDF forces opened fire on Sunday morning as hundreds of Lebanese people, many bearing Hezbollah flags, attempted to enter Shiite villages in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese Army doing nothing to stop them. IDF forces fired warning shots at several locations. IDF spokesperson in Arabic Avichay Adraee warned Lebanese residents not to return to the villages near the border. The “return to their homes” was carried out as an act of provocation as most villages in southern Lebanon are still in ruins. According to Lebanese media, several Lebanese people were wounded by IDF fire and two were arrested by IDF troops. IDF troops have remained in southern Lebanon after the 60-day deadline, which falls out today, on Sunday, January 26, after Hezbollah has repeatedly violated the ceasefire, with the Lebanese army failing to address the issues. The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Friday that the IDF would not withdraw from southern Lebanon by the specified time, stating: “The clause was worded this way with the understanding that the withdrawal process may take longer than 60 days. The withdrawal process is conditional on the Lebanese Army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, while Hezbollah withdraws beyond the Litani.” Netanyahu added that since Lebanon has not fully enforced the conditions of the ceasefire, “the phased withdrawal process will continue in full coordination with the United States.” The Lebanese army accused Israel of delaying its exit from the territory, stating in a declaration that it is “ready to continue its deployment as soon as the IDF withdraws,” according to Ynet. The Lebanese army called on the local population to “exercise caution when returning to areas near the southern border, in light of the presence of mines and suspicious objects left by the Israeli army.” Adraee’s message to the residents of Lebanon on Sunday morning stated: “Until further notice, you are prohibited from moving south of the line of villages shown on the map and its surroundings. The IDF does not intend to attack you. Therefore, at this stage, you are prohibited from returning to homes south of this line until further notice. Anyone who moves south places themselves in danger.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)