Hezbollah: We Achieved “Victory” Over Israel

Hezbollah considered, on Wednesday, that it had achieved a “victory” over Israel following the implementation of a ceasefire and the return of thousands of displaced people to their towns and villages, especially in southern Lebanon.

In a statement addressed to its supporters, the party stated, “The victory was from God Almighty, the ally of the just cause that you embraced and carried, returning to your villages and homes with pride and dignity.” At the same time, it emphasized that its fighters “will remain fully prepared to deal with the Israeli enemy’s ambitions and aggressions, and their eyes will continue to monitor the movements and withdrawals of the enemy’s forces behind the borders.”

With the ceasefire taking effect, the residents of southern Lebanon and the Bekaa began returning to their villages. Car convoys transporting families were seen on the roads leading to these areas.

Hundreds of cars headed towards the south, Bekaa, and the southern suburbs, while Israeli warplanes and drones were absent from the Lebanese skies, despite Israeli military warnings for displaced people not to return to their areas.

The Lebanese Army announced today that it had started deploying military units to the southern Litani sector to begin reinforcing its presence in the area, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), following the ceasefire agreement with Israel, which came into effect a few hours ago.

The army’s statement emphasized that this move is based on Lebanon’s commitment to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, including all its provisions, particularly the reinforcement of the army and security forces in the southern Litani region.

The Lebanese government also approved the “procedural formula” for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri urged the displaced to return to their homes “even if it means living on the rubble,” considering the war with Israel as “the most dangerous historical phase” Lebanon has experienced, just hours after the ceasefire came into force.

The government convened in the morning, where Prime Minister Najib Mikati confirmed that the Lebanese government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing Security Council Resolution 1701, particularly regarding the reinforcement of the army’s presence in southern Litani, as part of an operational plan that was approved by the cabinet before its implementation.