Beirut: One person was killed and at least 17 others injured in an Israeli occupation attack on Houla and Kafr Kala villages in southern Lebanon early Sunday, according to the Ministry of Health.

According to Kuwait News Agency, nine people were injured in Houla and were taken to Tibnin Government Hospital, the ministry’s public health emergency center stated in a press release. In addition, eight people were injured in the attack on Kafr Kala Village and were taken to Marjayoun Governmental Hospital in southern Lebanon, it added.

The attack by Israeli occupying forces occurred after people attempted to return to their homes in the border area. Israeli forces remain stationed in the border area following the expiration of a deadline for their withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The Lebanese army had previously advised citizens to avoid rushing to southern border areas as the 60-day deadline ended on Sunday.

The Israeli occupation announced on Friday that its forces would stay on the ground beyond the Sunday deadline outlined in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted last year’s conflict in Lebanon. Under the agreement, Israeli occupying forces were expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon as Hezbollah’s weapons and fighters were removed from the area, and the Lebanese army was deployed within a 60-day period, which concluded on Sunday morning.