NewKerala.com

Israel Lifts Wartime Restrictions After Lebanon Ceasefire Takes Effect

The Israel Defence Forces have lifted most wartime gathering restrictions following the start of a ceasefire on the Lebanese front. The ceasefire, which took effect at midnight, was announced by US President Donald Trump and aims to end over a month of deadly escalation. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that military forces will continue to hold captured areas in Lebanon, with disarming Hezbollah as a central objective. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed Israel will maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon during the truce period.

Key Points: Israel Lifts Wartime Restrictions Following Lebanon Ceasefire

  • Ceasefire enables lifting of restrictions
  • Northern border areas keep 1,000-person limit
  • Security zone to be maintained in south Lebanon
  • Disarming Hezbollah remains key objective
2 min read

Israel lifts wartime restrictions in Lebanon after ceasefire

Israel lifts most wartime gathering restrictions after a US-brokered ceasefire with Lebanon begins. Northern border areas remain under limits.

"The Israel Defence Forces will continue to hold all the places it has cleared and captured. - Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz"

Jerusalem, April 17

The Israel Defence Forces on Friday announced in a statement the lifting of most gathering restrictions that were in place due to the war on the Iranian and Lebanese fronts.

The lifting of restrictions followed the start of a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The change in restrictions took effect at 4 pm Israeli time (1300 GMT) and allows gatherings without restrictions on the number of people in most areas of the country, except areas near the northern border with Lebanon, where a gathering limit of up to 1,000 people will apply until Saturday evening.

The lifting of restrictions will allow educational, cultural, and sports events in most areas of the country with no limitations. Xinhua news agency reported.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local time (2100 GMT), following an earlier announcement by US President Donald Trump. The truce aims to end more than a month of deadly escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which has claimed over 2,000 lives.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Friday that Israeli forces will continue to hold all areas they have "cleared and seized" in Lebanon, underscoring that military operations against Hezbollah are not yet complete, despite a ceasefire taking effect.

"The Israel Defence Forces will continue to hold all the places it has cleared and captured," Katz said in a statement, adding that ground operations and strikes across Lebanon have achieved "many results" but have not been fully concluded.

He reiterated that disarming Hezbollah, whether through military or political means, remains a central objective of the campaign.

Earlier, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents in southern Lebanon against returning to areas south of the Litani River in a post on social media platform X, citing continued Israeli military presence due to Hezbollah activities.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will maintain a 10-km security zone in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire period.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Over 2000 lives lost in just over a month. That's heartbreaking. Every conflict in the Middle East has ripple effects globally, including on energy prices and our economy here. Hope this ceasefire holds and leads to real dialogue. 🙏
R
Rohit P
The Defence Minister saying military ops are "not yet complete" while a ceasefire is on sends mixed signals. This feels like a tactical pause for regrouping, not a genuine move for peace. The region needs a permanent solution, not just temporary halts.
S
Sarah B
Lifting gathering restrictions is a small but positive sign for normalcy returning for Israeli citizens. However, the warning to Lebanese residents not to return home is a stark reminder of the human cost and displacement. A very complex situation.
V
Vikram M
As an Indian, our foreign policy has always advocated for peaceful resolution. We have significant diaspora in the region and strategic interests. Hope our diplomatic channels are actively engaged to support lasting peace. Jai Hind.
K
Karthik V
The objective to disarm Hezbollah seems like a tall order. These non-state actors are deeply entrenched. Military action alone rarely solves such issues. There has to be a political process involving all stakeholders for any chance of long-term peace.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50