BEIRUT — On Sunday, a woman lost her life and multiple individuals sustained injuries after Israeli forces opened fire on a group of residents attempting to return to the village of Houla in southern Lebanon, according to reports from the Lebanese state news agency.
At this time, the Israeli military has not issued any statements regarding the incident, which transpired just two days prior to a crucial deadline for implementing a ceasefire agreement. This ceasefire, which aimed to conclude the most recent conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, includes provisions for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.
The original deadline for this agreement was set for late January, but both Israel and Lebanon negotiated an extension until February 18. Just hours before the extension was agreed upon on January 27, hundreds of demonstrators attempted to enter villages still under Israeli control to demand the withdrawal of troops. In response, Israeli forces opened fire at various sites, resulting in over 20 fatalities. Israel has since attributed the unrest to Hezbollah’s instigation of the riots.
Additionally, on the same day, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted a bulldozer working to clear roads that had been obstructed by Israeli military presence near the village of Marwahin, although no injuries were reported from this incident.
The Lebanese army, which is now overseeing areas previously occupied by Israeli forces, cautioned residents against attempting to enter regions where Lebanese troops have not yet established their presence. There is ongoing uncertainty about whether Israel will completely withdraw its military from Lebanese territory by the upcoming Tuesday deadline.
In light of rising internal tensions in Lebanon ahead of the deadline, the Lebanese authorities rescinded permission for an Iranian airplane that was scheduled to fly from Tehran to Beirut, resulting in many Lebanese travelers being left stranded. This decision followed Israeli claims that Iran was using civilian flights to send funds to Hezbollah, with assurances that Israel would utilize “all available means” to counter this activity.
Moreover, the outgoing deputy commander of the U.N. peacekeeping force positioned in Lebanon suffered injuries on Friday due to protests targeting a convoy that was transporting peacekeepers to the airport in Beirut.
