Hezbollah urges Lebanese to postpone return to targeted areas before Israel truce

AFP , Thursday 16 Apr 2026

Hezbollah on Thursday called on Lebanese residents to postpone their return to the country's south, the Bekaa valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs, ahead of a ceasefire with Israel scheduled to start at midnight local time (2100 GMT).

Lebanon
People cross on foot the Qasmieh bridge, the last bridge between the southern Lebanese cities of Tyre and Sidon regions, after it was targeted by an Israeli airstrike. AFP

 

"In the face of a treacherous enemy accustomed to violating covenants and agreements, we call on you to be patient and to refrain from heading to the targeted areas in the south, the Beqaa, and Beirut's southern suburbs, until the situation becomes completely clear," the movement said in a statement.

The Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee, in a statement, also advised people to wait "until you are certain that a ceasefire has been officially declared and has come into effect" and urged people to "wait until morning" before taking to the roads.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Lebanon and Israel had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, following what he described as talks with their leaders.

Hezbollah said in a statement that any truce must apply "across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.”

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