Lebanese Army Urges Caution as Residents Consider Return to Southern Regions

The Lebanese Army has cautioned residents against hastening their return to villages and towns along the southern border, even as recent developments have suggested a de-escalation of military operations in the area.

In a statement released through the Directorate of Orientation, the Army Command emphasized that existing conditions on the ground necessitate continued vigilance. Officials appealed to residents to follow guidance from stationed military personnel to ensure their protection, citing ongoing threats posed by potential Israeli incursions and military actions.

Army leadership specifically highlighted the dangers present in zones that experienced intensive bombardment in recent months. The command stressed the importance of avoiding contact with unexploded ordnance and unidentified objects, instructing civilians to immediately alert nearby military installations or security agencies upon encountering such hazards.

The advisory comes as a measured flow of residents has begun moving back into select southern communities. Simultaneously, municipal authorities, civil defense operations, health services, and relief organizations have mobilized to clear pathways and eliminate debris and destruction left by previous strikes.

Local administrations and relevant agencies continue circulating their own advisories, urging patience among displaced populations and discouraging premature returns until official clearance is provided and security conditions are verified as stable. Officials are also conducting assessments of infrastructure, residential structures, and road conditions to determine readiness for civilian reoccupancy.

The precautions hold particular weight given the extensive presence of ordnance remnants and unexploded devices scattered across border zones—a significant threat to civilians who have endured months away from their homes during the period of heightened conflict.