BURJ AL MULUK (Lebanon): Lebanon announced today that it will extend the ceasefire agreement with Israel until mid-February, despite Israel’s failure to withdraw its troops by the agreed deadline and the tragic loss of 22 lives during recent violence in the south.
The ceasefire, brokered two months ago to end the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, required Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon by January 26. In return, Hezbollah was to retreat north of the Litani River, and the Lebanese army was to assume control of the border areas alongside UN peacekeepers. However, Israel’s continued military presence and Friday’s clashes, which killed six women, a soldier, and injured 124 others, have escalated tensions.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces opened fire on civilians attempting to return to their occupied villages, a claim Israel countered by stating that its troops had responded to “imminent threats.” Thousands of residents, some waving Hezbollah flags, attempted to reach their villages, vowing to reclaim their land despite the risks. The UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, noted that conditions remain unsafe for residents’ return.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, after discussions with the US, confirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement, extending its implementation until February 18, 2025. Meanwhile, calls from international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, for Israel to adhere to the withdrawal agreement, continue. The truce, despite these violations, has largely held since November, but the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.
