A woman died on Sunday and several others injured when Israeli forces fired upon civilians attempting to return to Houla village in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media.
The incident took place two days before the scheduled implementation of a ceasefire agreement. The agreement, which concluded the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in late November, requires Israeli forces to completely withdraw from southern Lebanon.
The initial January deadline was extended to February 18 by mutual agreement. On January 27, prior to the extension agreement, Israeli forces fired upon protesters attempting to access villages under Israeli occupation, resulting in over 20 fatalities. Israel attributed the unrest to Hezbollah-organised “rioters.”
The status of Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory on Tuesday remains uncertain.
In a televised address on Sunday, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem insisted on Israel’s complete withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory by February 18, rejecting any conditions or exceptions, AFP news agency reported.
Kassem dismissed Israel’s proposal to maintain forces at five border locations after the deadline, a suggestion already rejected by Lebanese officials.
He emphasised that ensuring Israel’s complete withdrawal through political pressure was now primarily the Lebanese state’s responsibility.
Recent developments have heightened internal tensions in Lebanon, including authorities’ cancellation of an Iranian flight to Beirut, stranding Lebanese passengers. This decision followed Israeli allegations of Iran using civilian flights to transfer funds to Hezbollah.
On Friday, the outgoing UNIFIL deputy commander was injured when protesters attacked a peacekeepers’ convoy en route to Beirut airport.
While condemning the UNIFIL attack, Kassem criticised the Lebanese army’s use of tear gas against “peaceful” protesters. He also questioned the flight ban decision, suggesting it resulted from Israeli threats to target the runway.
The Israeli army confirmed conducting targeted strikes on military installations containing weapons and rocket launchers.
The Lebanese army, now controlling areas vacated by Israeli forces, cautioned citizens against entering zones where Lebanese troops have not yet established control.
