The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have positioned units around Shamaa, a town in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This deployment forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen the military’s presence in the area, coinciding with an Israeli military withdrawal following the ceasefire agreement reached in November.

The LAF announced that its deployment in Shamaa would continue in phases, with engineering teams conducting surveys to clear unexploded ordnance. Civilians have been advised to avoid the area and adhere to military instructions until the operation concludes.

This marks the second such deployment since the November 27 ceasefire. Earlier, the Lebanese army established a presence in Khiyam, a town in the Marjayoun district, where they conducted ground surveys to identify and neutralize unexploded rockets and shells.

Despite the ongoing withdrawal, the Israeli military has warned residents against returning to areas near the border.

Amid heightened tensions, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in the town of Bani Hayyan, southern Lebanon, on Tuesday. Separately, Charbel Shoufani, a resident of the border town of Rmeish, was wounded in the shoulder by Israeli gunfire while inspecting his livestock near his farm. Shoufani’s condition is reported to be stable.

Moreover, the Israeli army’s 769th Brigade discovered and destroyed a Hezbollah weapons depot in the Wadi al-Slouqi area, according to military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

The depot, described as hidden in a complex terrain, reportedly housed a large cache of Hezbollah weapons, including rocket launchers, missiles, and explosive devices. Additional arms were uncovered during a raid on nearby buildings. Among the items seized were Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, guided missiles, landmines, surveillance equipment, and tactical combat gear.

“The weapons were destroyed, and all combat materials confiscated,” Adraee stated on X, emphasizing the ongoing Israeli effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Adraee also reiterated warnings for residents of southern Lebanon to avoid returning to their homes or entering areas south of the border.

“Until further notice, returning to these areas is prohibited,” he said, cautioning that anyone venturing into these zones faces considerable danger.

The statement listed over 50 villages and towns where residents are advised not to return, including Dhahira, Taybeh, Khiyam, Naqoura, Bint Jbeil, Ayta al-Shaab, and Chebaa.

Adraee underscored that while the Israeli military currently has no plans to target civilians, the security situation remains volatile.

On Wednesday morning, Adraee posted a video claiming to show Hezbollah operatives transferring weapons from a depot in southern Lebanon to a nearby vehicle.

“In a swift monitoring and targeting operation, the vehicle and the weapons depot were struck from the air to neutralize the threat," he wrote.

He reiterated that “the Israeli army remains committed to the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon and is deployed in southern Lebanon to address any potential threats against Israel.”