MAYS AL-JABAL, Lebanon — On Sunday, Israeli military forces opened fire on demonstrators in southern Lebanon who were calling for their withdrawal, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 individuals and injuring 124 others, according to health officials in Lebanon.
Shortly thereafter, the White House announced that both Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon to February 18. This extension comes as Israel requested additional time beyond the original 60-day deadline established in the ceasefire agreement that ceased hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in late November.
Israeli officials indicated that their prolonged presence is necessary due to the lack of deployment of the Lebanese army in southern areas to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its foothold. Conversely, the Lebanese army stated that it cannot proceed with its deployment until Israeli forces fully withdraw.
In a statement, the White House confirmed that the arrangement monitored by the United States will be in effect until the new deadline and noted that both governments would begin talks regarding the repatriation of Lebanese prisoners taken after October 7. While there has been no immediate response from the Israeli government, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has validated the extension.
The protests erupted earlier on Sunday, with some demonstrators carrying Hezbollah flags, as they attempted to enter various villages to express their discontent over Israel’s failure to comply with the initial Sunday deadline for withdrawal. Reports indicated that among the deceased were six women and a soldier from the Lebanese army. Injuries were reported across nearly 20 border villages.
The Israeli military attributed the protests to Hezbollah’s influence, asserting that Israeli troops fired warning shots to neutralize perceived threats in different areas. They claimed that they detained several individuals who approached their positions for questioning.
As tensions continued in Lebanon, Israel also restricted thousands of Palestinian refugees from returning to northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of disrupting a fragile ceasefire agreement by altering the sequence of hostages released.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun addressed southern Lebanese citizens, emphasizing that the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not negotiable. He assured the public that he is monitoring the situation at the highest levels to protect their rights, encouraging them to exercise restraint and trust in the Lebanese Armed Forces. The military issued a separate statement, noting that it is assisting civilians entering towns near the border and reiterated the importance of military instructions for public safety.
Nabih Berri, the speaker of parliament and head of the Amal Movement party allied with Hezbollah, characterized the outbreak of violence on Sunday as a crucial appeal for the international community to intervene and mandate Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territories.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee remarked on social media that Hezbollah was inciting protests to distract from their current standing in Lebanon and the broader Arab region. He called on residents in the border area not to attempt to return to their homes.
U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UNIFIL head Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro jointly called for compliance from both sides with ceasefire obligations. They noted that the conditions for the safe return of displaced citizens along the Blue Line remain unmet, citing recent tragic events as a demonstration of ongoing danger.
UNIFIL also expressed concern that further violence could jeopardize the delicate security environment bolstered by the cessation of hostilities and Lebanon’s governmental stabilization. They urged for the expeditious withdrawal of Israeli troops and the removal of unauthorized military assets south of the Litani River, advocating for the complete redeployment of the Lebanese army throughout southern Lebanon and ensuring the safe return of displaced civilians from both sides.
In a troubling report, a team of journalists remained trapped overnight at a UNIFIL facility in Mays al-Jabal after roadblocks were established by Israeli forces. They reported hearing gunfire and explosions from the base as dozens of protesters gathered nearby.
Meanwhile, in Aita al-Shaab, families searched through remnants of their demolished homes, expounding resilience among those forced to flee. A returning resident, Hussein Bajouk, pledged to rebuild irrespective of the destruction, expressing belief in the continuing presence of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whom he thinks will return to public view.
On the Israeli side in the kibbutz of Manara, Orna Weinberg surveyed the aftermath of conflict among her neighbors and across the border, with distant clashes resonating. She lamented the tragedy affecting all parties involved, stating, “Unfortunately, we have no way of defending our own children without harming their children.”
Currently, around 112,000 Lebanese remain displaced, part of a larger wave of over 1 million who fled their homes during the ongoing conflict.
