Israel’s military has announced that it will not be able to finalize its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by the deadline set in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah militants. This declaration was made on Saturday, coinciding with a prevailing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has led to the second release of hostages from Gaza and Palestinian detainees from Israeli jails.
The ceasefire arrangement regarding Lebanon stipulated that both sides had a period of 60 days to draw down their military presence from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army to establish control over the region. However, Israel claims that Hezbollah and the Lebanese military have failed to adhere to their commitments, while Lebanon accuses the Israeli forces of obstructing the Lebanese army from taking charge. The Israeli military stated the progress has been made but not without delays in some areas, and they anticipate that the withdrawal process will continue shortly.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Gaza is holding firm as Hamas has released four female Israeli soldiers who had been detained during the prolonged conflict, in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. Another exchange of detainees is anticipated to occur on February 1. The agreement has also managed to suspend hostilities in Gaza for a period of at least six weeks.
Nevertheless, Israel has declared it will not permit displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, despite expectations to start doing so by Sunday, due to the fact that a civilian hostage, who was due to be released by Hamas, remains in captivity. Mediators are currently engaged in resolving this impasse.
The conflict escalated following Hamas’ assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which reportedly resulted in around 1,200 fatalities. The ensuing war has had devastating consequences, with over 47,000 people declared dead in Gaza according to local health officials, who do not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties.
In other developments, President Donald Trump has expressed interest in having Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab countries accept a greater number of Palestinian refugees from Gaza. While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump shared his vision for the potential relocation of millions of individuals to “clean out” the war-torn area. He noted a conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan and indicated further discussions with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
In a tragic incident, a two-year-old Palestinian girl, Laila Al-Khatib, was reportedly shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank, as tensions surged in the area amid an ongoing offensive. Israeli military officials stated they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death, asserting that they were engaged in responding to militants during the operation. Concurrently, at least 11 Palestinians were reported killed in a raid on Jenin, with another individual losing their life in Balata, a refugee camp.
Joyous scenes unfolded in Khan Younis as some of the released Palestinian prisoners returned home, greeted by cheering crowds. Rana Raef al-Farra, whose father had been imprisoned for over 21 years, expressed her fears about not recognizing him or vice versa. Several released prisoners voiced their support for the “resistance” and urged for its continuation.
Additionally, Hamas has dispatched a delegation to Cairo to discuss receiving the Hamas-affiliated prisoners released as a part of the exchange arrangement. Similarly, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine announced that they would also send delegations for this purpose.
Families of hostages held by Hamas have reached out to President Trump, urging him to apply pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conclude the conflict and secure the return of their loved ones. Under the ceasefire agreement, it is expected that a portion of the hostages will be released during the initial phase, with negotiations for the remaining individuals tied to the conflict’s prolongation.
As the situation develops, Israel has reiterated its caution against allowing Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, particularly as discussions about the release of Arbel Yehoud, one of the hostages, are ongoing. The Israeli military has cautioned against approaching certain routes previously anticipated to be reopened.
Conversely, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, crowds erupted in celebration as buses carrying released prisoners returned. The celebrations marked a notable exchange, where 200 Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange for the four Israeli soldiers, predominantly composed of individuals convicted in connection to attacks against Israelis.
In conclusion, the tensions in the region remain high as both sides deal with the aftermath of violence, the hostages’ conditions, and the ongoing humanitarian implications of the conflict. Negotiations continue as the international community observes, aiming for a resolution that addresses the complex dynamics at play.
