Israel warns Lebanese against returning south despite ceasefire

Israel has issued fresh warnings restricting civilian movement in southern Lebanon, saying its forces remain deployed despite a US-backed ceasefire with Hezbollah. The move follows continued tensions along the border after months of conflict and large-scale displacement.

Reuters

April 20, 2026

Israel warns Lebanese against returning south despite ceasefire

A vehicle with Hezbollah flags displaced from windows drives past a flag of Lebanon, as displaced people make their way to return to their homes after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect, in Sidon, Lebanon, April 18, 2026.

Aziz Taher/Reuters

Israeli military on Monday (April 20) warned residents in southern Lebanon not to move south of a specified line of villages or approach areas near the Litani River, saying its forces remain deployed in the area during a ceasefire due to what it described as continued Hezbollah activity.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee also told civilians not to return to dozens of border villages until further notice, adding that doing so would risk "your safety and the safety of your families."

Monday’s warning came a day after the Israeli military published for the first time a map of its new deployment line inside Lebanon on Sunday (April 19), bringing dozens of mostly abandoned Lebanese villages under its control, days after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect.

There was no immediate comment from Lebanese officials or from Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel and Lebanon agreed on Thursday (April 16) to a U.S.-backed ceasefire in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanon was dragged into the war on March 2, when Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran, prompting an Israeli offensive that has killed more than 2,100 people, including 177 children, and forced more than 1.2 million to flee, Lebanese authorities say.

Production: Jacinta Goh/Reuters