Israeli troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday opened fire on demonstrators demanding their withdrawal under a ceasefire agreement, killing at least 22 and wounding 124, Lebanese medical officials said.
A few hours later, the White House said Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the deadline for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon to February 18, after Israel asked for more time to withdraw beyond the 60-day deadline stipulated in the ceasefire agreement that halted the war between Israel and Hezbollah in late November.
Under the November 27 agreement last year that ended the standoff between the Israeli army and Shiite Hezbollah militants, the IDF was supposed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon this Sunday. But Israel announced on Friday that the military operation would continue because the Lebanese army had not taken up positions in all areas of southern Lebanon and could not guarantee that Hezbollah would not re-establish a presence there. The Lebanese army responded by saying it could not take up positions until the Israeli troops leave.
Hundreds of locals on Sunday tried to return to their villages. According to Lebanese authorities, the Israeli military opened fire on the demonstrators, some of whom were carrying Hezbollah flags and demanding an IDF withdrawal under the ceasefire agreement.
The dead included two women and a Lebanese army soldier, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
The Israeli army accused Hezbollah of fuelling Sunday’s protests. Its statement said soldiers fired warning shots to “stop suspects approaching.” Several people in close proximity to Israeli troops have reportedly been detained and are being questioned.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Sunday that “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable.” He also called for “restraint and trust in the Lebanese armed forces.”
The Lebanese army said in a separate statement that it was escorting civilians to some towns in the border area and called on residents to follow military instructions to ensure their safety.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, whose Amal Movement party is allied with Hezbollah and who mediated between the militant group and the US during ceasefire talks, said Sunday’s bloodshed “is a clear and urgent call for the international community to act immediately and force Israel to withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories.”
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro, head of the mission of the UN peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL, called on Israel and Lebanon to honour their commitments under the ceasefire agreement in a joint statement.
UNIFIL said further violence could undermine the fragile security situation in the area and “the prospects for stability that will emerge following the cessation of hostilities and the formation of a government in Lebanon.” It called for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops, the removal of unauthorised weapons and property south of the Litani River, the redeployment of the Lebanese army throughout southern Lebanon and the safe and dignified return of displaced civilians on both sides of the Blue Line.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI), wrote on X:
“Netanyahu sabotages Lebanon ceasefire, kills 11 civilians who believed in the deal. Netanyahu refuses to honour his own signature. Europe, France, does not exist. Pathetic moment.”
