The Lebanese civilians are returning to areas south of the Litani River, in yet another reminder of broken promises by Israeli officials, Israeli media outlets said on Friday as ceasefire took effect between Lebanon and the Zionist entity.
Taking about broken promises, Israeli Army Radio cited remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, who April 3, Katz had explicitly stated that Israeli forces would maintain security control over the Litani area and that displaced Lebanese residents would not be allowed to return south until the security of northern Israeli settlers was guaranteed.
The remarks were presented as firm conditions tied to the broader security situation, according to Israeli Army Radio.
“And this morning—as can be seen—the Lebanese are swiftly repairing the bridge that had been bombed over the Litani River, while continuing their return to areas south of it,” the Israeli Army Radio stated.
The video below shows Lebanon’s soutehrners returning to areas south of the Litani River, crossing the Qasmiyeh Bridge which was repeatedly bombed by the Israeli enemy. The footage is accompanied by a national song by Marcel Khalife titled “Al-Jisr” (The Bridge).
Meanwhile, Yedioth Ahronoth also cited a promise by Katz, saying the Israeli DM “promised ‘destruction’, but the Lebanese crossed the Litani River on the bridges that had been attacked.”
“Within just a few hours, one of the bridges in Qasmiyeh—previously targeted multiple times during the war—was repaired. Despite warnings from the Israeli army and statements by the defense minister that the destruction of key bridges would hinder the return of southern Lebanon’s residents, locals began returning to their homes shortly after the ceasefire took effect,” Yedioth Ahronoth added.
For its part, Israeli Channel 14 said that “as ceasefire in Lebanon took effect, heavy fireworks were reported, while an atmosphere of celebration prevailed in Beirut and Sidon, where yellow flags and images of Nasrallah were raised in the streets.”
احتفالات في #لبنان بدخول وقف إطلاق النار حيّز التنفيذ وبدء عودة الأهالي النازحين إلى مناطقهم pic.twitter.com/lyCbukVGa1
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) April 16, 2026
Source: Hebrew media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)