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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Scenes of Lebanese returning home infuriate Israeli media, officials</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Al Mayadeen English</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time">November 27, 2024<br></div>
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<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><p>Israeli
media outlets have widely covered the return of Lebanese people to
South Lebanon, despite warnings from the army spokesperson, Avichay
Adraee.</p><img src="cid:ii_m402ivml0" alt="32f00fe6-6f69-452e-8141-fb691f0d6490.jpeg" width="468" height="312"><br><div><ul id="gmail-content-slick-0"><div aria-hidden="false"><li>
People flash victory signs as they return to their villages in Tyre. (<em>AP</em>)
</li></div></ul>
<p>As soon as the <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-ceasefire-with-lebanon-officially-takes-effect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ceasefire deal</a>
came into effect, many forcibly displaced Lebanese began heading home.
Moments after the agreement was implemented, the Israeli army
spokesperson issued a statement that Israeli occupation forces remain
stationed in South Lebanon, in accordance with the terms of the
ceasefire, and warned the Lebanese people not to return to villages
along the occupied Palestinian borders, saying that they [occupation
forces] will tell them when to return.</p>
<p>Yet, scenes pouring in from Lebanon's South to its North depict
utmost resilience as people made their way back home, completely
disregarding the Israeli warnings in defiance. </p>
<p>Reflecting on their frustration, <strong>Al Mayadeen</strong>’s
correspondent reported that the Israeli artillery fired five shells in
the direction of the Fatima Gate, a key border crossing, intensifying
tensions in the area.</p>
<p>Reporting from the outskirts of the western neighborhood in Khiam,
southern Lebanon, she noted that Israeli tanks were moving through the
eastern sectors of the town.</p>
<p>Our correspondent also emphasized that the Israeli occupation
appeared to be deliberately intimidating returning displaced citizens,
disregarding the impact of the bombardment on the local population.</p>
<h2>As Lebanese return to villages, Israelis stay away – A symbol of Lebanese victory</h2>
<p>Amid all this, Amichai Shtern, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, expressed
his strong opposition to the idea of having Israelis return to northern
settlements, comparing it to sending them to their doom. He explained
that despite his role as mayor, he no longer feels safe raising his
children in Kiryat Shmona, noting that the homes in Lebanese villages
are strategically positioned outposts.</p>
<p>Reflecting on the events of October 7, he claimed that the settler
community is now acutely aware of the dangers posed by South Lebanon.
Shtern also warned that in the coming years, no one will be able to ask
the settlers of Kiryat Shmona to evacuate again.</p>
<p>Israeli media outlets have widely covered the return of the Lebanese
people to South Lebanon, on the border with occupied Palestine,
capturing a mix of frustration and disillusionment, despite warnings
from the army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee.</p>
<p><em>The Times of Israel</em> reported that as residents of South
Lebanon are already heading home following the ceasefire, the situation
on the Israeli side of the border remains uncertain, with many settlers
still avoiding the region.</p>
<p>Seth Frantzman, a Jerusalem Post journalist, lamented the situation,
sharing footage of the Lebanese people returning home and decrying that
this is not the case on the opposite side and decrying the Israeli
claims of achieving "victory".</p>
<p>"This isn’t happening in Israel today, despite the various stories about this being a 'victory'," he posted on X.</p>
<p>Gabby Neeman, mayor of the northern Israeli city of Shlomi, was cited by the news outlet saying, on <em>Army Radio</em>,
that there is currently no plan for the return of settlers. He
expressed frustration over the lack of government compensation for
losses and the absence of a commitment to invest in rebuilding the
affected settler communities. </p>
<p>“Nothing is happening,” he lamented.</p>
<p>This comes as residents of southern Lebanon have been heading home
from the moment the ceasefire came into effect with heads held high and
smiles on their faces, proud of their victory.</p>
<p>Broadcasts have shown people returning to their villages, raising
Hezbollah flags, and debris removal underway in Beirut's Southern
Suburb. Meanwhile, <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/settlers-won-t-immediately-return-to-north--israeli-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Israeli settlers</a> on the other side of the border have yet to return to their communities.</p>
<p>On the highway linking Beirut with south Lebanon, thousands of people
drove south with their belongings and mattresses tied on top of their
cars. Traffic was gridlocked at the northern entrance of the port city
of Saida.</p>
<p>One commentator sarcastically remarked, "What an ultimate victory," in reference to Netanyahu's claim.</p>
<p>David Azulai, the Mayor of Metulla, expressed skepticism about the
Israeli army's claim of being near the Litani River. He noted that the
army's position is only two kilometers from Metulla and that no
significant progress had been made. Debunking Israeli military claims,
he emphasized that the military had not advanced by tens of kilometers.</p>
<p>Settlers in northern Israeli settlements expressed frustration over
the agreement with Lebanon, with many criticizing its terms. In this
context, Azulai, reflecting his right-wing stance, strongly condemned
the deal, calling it a "disgraceful concession" to Hezbollah and
accusing the government of leaving the northern settler communities to
their fate.</p>
<p>He asserted that the Israeli military had not completed its mission
and that the security situation in the North had actually worsened since
October 7.</p>
<p>Amit Sofer, head of the Merom Hagalil Regional Council, argued that
while the agreement may bring temporary calm, it fails to provide
security, leaving settlers unwilling to live in an area where safety is
uncertain. Meanwhile, scenes of people flocking to South Lebanon further
fueled discontent among Israelis in the North.</p>
<p>Israeli media platforms expressed frustration, stating, “The Lebanese
are celebrating their ‘victory.’ All they need now is a speech from
Nasrallah to further boost their morale.”</p>
<div><p>Avi Issacharoff, an Arab affairs analyst for <em>Yedioth Ahronoth</em>,
acknowledged that criticisms of the agreement with Lebanon are
theoretically valid. However, he argued that the deal represents the
lesser of two evils and considered it a reasonable approach. He
emphasized the importance of valuing Israeli life, both civilian and
military, and suggested that extreme slogans calling for the destruction
or surrender of Hezbollah are unrealistic. Such actions, he warned,
would likely lead "Israel" into a prolonged and unproductive conflict.</p><p><strong> Read more: <a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/northern-israeli-settlements-chiefs--truce-gives-hezbollah-u" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Northern Israeli settlements chiefs: Truce gives Hezbollah upper hand</a></strong></p></div></div></div></div>
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