A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is in place, but Israel has refused to fully withdraw from Lebanon despite the agreement. The Lebanese army recovered 23 bodies from several border towns after Israeli troops withdrew under a truce deadline.
Lebanon’s position on the issue remains unchanged, with Lebanon’s responders having moved into areas where Israeli troops pulled out. The country is seeking to rebuild and return residents to their villages near the border with Israel.
Israel has been accused of planning a new long-term occupation in Lebanon, as it keeps troops in five locations beyond the agreed pull-out deadline. France is urging an immediate withdrawal, citing the November ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
The Israeli army has also faced criticism for its treatment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with clashes erupting in the town of Beit Rima after a group of young men were detained.
Humanitarian concerns are mounting, with Gaza’s water supplies described as “extremely bleak and dangerously critical”. China announced it will deliver humanitarian relief to 60,000 families in war-ravaged Gaza.
Two Israeli soldiers who fought in Gaza fled the Netherlands, fearing war crimes charges, and returned to Israel after being tracked down on social media. A conference in Germany addressing Palestine and the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza was forcibly relocated by police.
The United Nations, EU, and World Bank have estimated that at least $50 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza and the occupied West Bank after the 15-month Israeli war.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/2/18/live-israel-pushes-forward-with-plans-for-voluntary-expulsions-from-gaza