The municipality of Deir Mimas in the Marjayoun district warned residents on Saturday, 26 September 2026, not to go to fields and olive groves for security reasons, amid local reports that an Israeli force had advanced to the southern side of the town’s outskirts and taken up positions in the olive-grove area.
In a statement, the municipality said: “We ask everyone not to go to the fields or olive groves at present for security reasons,” urging residents to follow the directive until 28 September. It said it would issue a new notice after that date, depending on developments on the ground. The warning comes days after repeated military movements around Deir Mimas, as the olive harvest season approaches, representing an important source of income for families in the town.
Estimates of olive trees and an observation point
Local estimates indicate that Deir Mimas has around 135,000 olive trees, making access to the groves vital to farmers’ livelihoods and their ability to harvest the crop. The Lebanese Army had announced that it established a temporary observation point on 10 September on the outskirts of the town, in coordination with the military coordination group for Lebanon, to accompany residents while they inspected their farmland.
On 18 September, an Israeli force approached the observation point and threw stun grenades in its vicinity, according to a statement by the Lebanese Army command. The army reinforced its presence at the point, leading to a state of heightened alert between the two sides, before the Israeli force left the area following contacts conducted through the military coordination group.
Lebanese Army personnel subsequently returned to their main base in the town, while the situation continued to be monitored through the group. The outskirts of Deir Mimas saw Israeli tanks and military vehicles moving on roads around the town between 18 and 20 September, along with searches of homes located on the outskirts, according to local accounts.
New restrictions on farmers’ movement
Deputy Mayor Tania Barnaba said the movements had not reached the town centre and that the forces had searched several homes on the outer roads before withdrawing. The force’s position near the olive groves imposes new restrictions on farmers’ movement, after the Lebanese Army observation point was originally established to help them reach their land.
The municipality’s directive against going to the fields will remain in force until 28 September, pending the notice it plans to issue according to the security situation.
