Israel imposes curfew in Lebanon at last minute as Hezbollah ceasefire begins
Israel has imposed a last-minute curfew forbidding any Lebanese from crossing into the south of the country.
Starting in the early hours of this morning, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a 60-day pause halting a conflict that has killed thousands in Lebanon and displaced many more.
At 2.30pm UK time (4.30pm locally), Israel’s Arab spokesperson warned movement south of the Litani River in Lebanon is “absolutely forbidden” – starting in half an hour.
Middle East latest as ceasefire begins
“Whoever is north of the Litani River is prohibited from moving south. Whoever is south of the Litani River must remain where he is,” the statement added.
“We remind you that the IDF is still deployed in its positions in southern Lebanon in accordance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement, and our forces will deal firmly with any movement that violates this agreement.”
The ceasefire deal, published by Lebanon’s cabinet, marks an area delineated by a red line labelled “New 2024 line” running east-west across the country.
This area – mostly along the Litani River before diverging slightly north and covering the south of the country – must remain free of Hezbollah weapons, according to the deal.
The terms stipulate only “official military and security forces” in Lebanon are authorised to carry arms, with the foreign minister saying it could deploy at least 5,000 troops.
If Israel believes Hezbollah has violated the terms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they have the right to attack, though Lebanese and Hezbollah officials reportedly claim otherwise.
The deal expects Hezbollah forces to leave their positions in southern Lebanon and retreat north of the Litani River, US President Joe Biden said.
Israel will withdraw its forces from Lebanon over a period of 60 days, he added, as the Lebanese army takes control of the area to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild there.
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Biden announcing ceasefire
Around an hour after the truce started, Reuters reported streams of cars were already heading to south Lebanon.
Within Israel, there was significant opposition to the ceasefire, with a poll conducted by Israel’s Channel 12 TV station finding 37% were in favour of the ceasefire and 32% against.
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In Lebanon, people cheered on the streets as the truce was confirmed.
Gunfire was also heard in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Beirut after the ceasefire began – it was not clear if it was celebratory.
On Wednesday morning, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee had urged people not to return to their homes in south Lebanon, saying Israeli forces were still deployed there.
He claimed they were “prohibited” from going back to areas the IDF had asked people to evacuate previously.
The ceasefire will be monitored by an international panel led by the US, along with thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers deployed around the border.
Israel pounded the outskirts of Gaza City overnight, as Benjamin Netanyahu’s government vowed to press on with a planned offensive on the city.
Families streamed out of the city as the explosions hit.
“I stopped counting the times I had to take my wife and three daughters and leave my home in Gaza City,” said Mohammad, 40.
“No place is safe, but I can’t take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire.”
Mahmoud Abedrabo mourns over the body of his son Hamada in Gaza City on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Others said they would prefer to die and not leave.
“We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home,” said Aya, 31, who has a family of eight, adding that they couldn’t afford to buy a tent or pay for the transportation.
“We are hungry, afraid and don’t have money,” she said.
Mourners pray next to the body of Palestinian boy Hamada Abedrabo on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Witnesses said that overnight they heard nonstop explosions in Zeitoun and Shejaia.
Tanks shelled houses and roads in Sabra, and buildings were blown up in Jabalia.
On Sunday, the IDF said its forces had returned to combat in Jabalia to strengthen its control of the area and dismantle militant tunnels.
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in Gaza City. Pic: Reuters
It added that the operation there “enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning to operate in these areas.”
This month, Israel approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City. The offensive isn’t expected to start for another few weeks.
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In the meantime, mediators in Egypt and Qatar are trying to resume ceasefire talks between the two sides.
On Friday, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said that Gaza City will be razed unless Hamas releases all its remaining hostages and ends the war on Israel’s terms.
Mourners transport the body of Ahmed Balata on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Around half of Gaza’s two million residents currently live in the city and on Friday a global hunger monitor said that Gaza City and its surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine that will likely spread.
Israel said the monitor ignores steps Israel has taken since late July to increase aid supplies into and across Gaza.
Eight more people died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry on Saturday.
281 people, including 114 children, have now died of malnutrition and starvation since the war started, according to the ministry.
The war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel, mainly civilians, and took 251 hostages.
Since then, Israel has killed at least 62,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and internally displaced nearly its entire population.
Two married couples have died after a British car veered off the road and crashed in Germany, according to police.
The fatal accident happened shortly after midnight on Saturday in the trees near a highway in the Kassel district, north of Hesse in central Germany.
The 32-year-old male driver, a 31-year-old female passenger, a 32-year-old female passenger, and a 30-year-old female passenger all died at the scene, despite the efforts of German emergency services.
Sky News understands UK officials have not been contacted for assistance.
At roughly 12.30am on Saturday, the car appears to have veered off the road and crashed into nearby trees around 30m from the road, according to the Kassel police department.
Pic: Feuerwehr Reinhardshagen
One of the victim’s phones automatically alerted the emergency services to the incident, who sent an ambulance to the scene.
Soon, fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles and emergency support vehicles were all dispatched.
When emergency workers arrived, the car was lying on its side, wedged between several trees.
It wasn’t until they removed the roof that they found all four passengers.
Pic: Feuerwehr Reinhardshagen
The accident happened on Highway L3229
The emergency workers who dealt with the victims were immediately supported by the specialist mental health workers at the fire station in Reinhardshagen.
“This high number of deaths is an extraordinary operation for our Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department,” said a fire department spokesperson.
“For some of the emergency personnel, it is the first time they have been confronted with death in this way.
“Therefore, a great deal is being done to help us process these images. We will also discuss this among ourselves and within families, because not everyone can easily shake off what they have seen.”
An investigation into the accident is ongoing and is being conducted by the Hofgeismar police station.
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