Search and rescue teams from the Lebanese Civil Defense recovered five bodies on Monday in the town of Khiam, the General Directorate of Civil Defense announced in a statement.
Four bodies were found in the Jalahiya neighborhood, while another was recovered in the eastern neighborhood of al-Faour. The remains have been transferred to Marjayoun Governmental Hospital, where they will undergo laboratory testing, including DNA analysis, to confirm their identities in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The Civil Defense confirmed that search operations will resume on Tuesday morning in collaboration with the Lebanese Army (LAF), aiming to locate all remaining missing persons.
Israeli violations of the 60-day ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel continued Monday, only six days ahead of the truce expiry on January 27, 2024.
Israeli forces rolled into Wadi Saluki (Marjayoun), carrying out a sweeping operation with gunfire. After spotting three Israeli Merkava tanks, the Lebanese Army, which was heading to Talousseh (within the same district), was forced to retreat.
An Israeli infantry unit also infiltrated the town of Dhayra, where a bulldozer has been uprooting trees, while Israeli drones hovered over south Lebanon relentlessly.
Deployment of the Lebanese Army at the Border
As part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement, Lebanese Army units are reinforcing their positions in the villages of Ain Ebel, Debel and Rmeish in Bint Jbeil, as well as Ainata (Baalbeck), following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from these areas.
The army’s repositioning is closely coordinated with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the committee monitoring the ceasefire implementation.
Additionally, the Lebanese Army has moved into the Naqoura port, where military engineers begun surveying munitions left behind from Israeli operations.
Also on Monday, the Lebanese Army has repositioned itself at the newly established al-Salhani checkpoint, with the help of a Ghanaian UNIFIL patrol, following Israel’s withdrawal.
Meanwhile, specialized Army units are mobilized to conduct engineering surveys, clear roads, and remove debris as well as carry out demining operations.
The Lebanese Army announced it would detonate unexploded munitions in Qlayaa (Marjayoun) on Monday between 10 AM and 6 PM.
The Army urged citizens to avoid hazardous areas and follow military instructions until deployment operations are completed.
Supervisory Committee Meeting
A technical surveillance committee meeting is scheduled for Monday in Naqoura to finalize the steps required for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the Lebanese Army's deployment in southern Lebanon's central sector.
The committee will address the situation in the eastern sector on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a drone continues to monitor Bint Jbeil and Aitaroun, providing real-time surveillance as tensions rise. This further heightens the precarious situation as the ceasefire deadline approaches.
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