BEIRUT — On Sunday, a woman was killed and several others were injured when Israeli forces opened fire on residents trying to return to their village of Houla in southern Lebanon, according to reports from the Lebanese state-run news agency.
The Israeli military has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident, which occurred just two days before a ceasefire agreement deadline aimed at concluding the recent conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This agreement includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.
The initial deadline for withdrawal was set for late January but was extended to February 18 after both Israel and Lebanon reached an agreement. Just hours before this extension was announced on January 27, hundreds of protesters attempted to enter Lebanon’s villages still under Israeli control, leading to clashes where Israeli forces opened fire, resulting in more than twenty fatalities. Israel has attributed the unrest to provocation by Hezbollah, claiming the group sent “rioters.”
As of now, it remains uncertain whether Israel will fully comply with its obligation to withdraw by Tuesday. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Kassem, addressed the issue in a televised speech, insisting that Israel is required to evacuate all occupied Lebanese territories on February 18.
Kassem asserted, “There should be no excuses or caveats under any circumstances. This is the agreement,” referencing an Israeli proposal that its military would retain control of five strategic border points post-deadline—a plan that Lebanese officials have rejected.
He urged the Lebanese government to exert all political pressure necessary to ensure complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Tensions within Lebanon have escalated leading up to the deadline, compounded by the Lebanese authorities’ decision to revoke clearance for an Iranian plane from Tehran to Beirut, leaving many Lebanese passengers stranded.
This action followed Israeli allegations that Iran was using civilian flights to transfer funds to Hezbollah, prompting warnings that it would take “all available measures” to interrupt this flow.
Recently, protests led to injuries among UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, with the outgoing deputy commander of the UNIFIL force reportedly hurt as demonstrators targeted a convoy en route to Beirut’s airport. Kassem condemned the assault on UNIFIL, while also voicing criticism towards the Lebanese army, which used tear gas against peaceful protesters on Saturday.
He disapproved of the Lebanese government’s decision to deny permission for Iranian flights, arguing that it was a response to threats from Israel regarding potential military action against the airport runway.
“The issue is not that the Lebanese authorities are protecting civilians in tough times,” Kassem stated. “The real issue is that this is a response to Israel’s demands. Are we mere agents for Israel, executing the occupation’s orders?”
In another development, the Lebanese National News Agency reported an Israeli airstrike on a bulldozer attempting to clear roads blocked by Israeli forces near Marwahin, although no casualties were reported.
The Israeli army confirmed it conducted “precise, intelligence-based strikes” targeting several military locations within Lebanon identified as housing rocket launchers and Hezbollah operations. The Lebanese army, now responsible for areas vacated by Israeli forces, has urged citizens to avoid entering locations that have not yet been secured by Lebanese troops.
Female fatality as Israeli troops open fire on those returning to southern Lebanon prior to ceasefire deadline
