The US and Lebanon extended a ceasefire deal with Israel until mid-February after Israeli troops remained in the region despite the agreement expiring. The initial deadline was Sunday, but due to non-compliance by Hezbollah and the Lebanese government, the truce was now set to last until 18 February.
On Sunday, Israeli soldiers killed 22 people and wounded 124 others trying to return home in southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced the extension following US mediation, citing insufficient enforcement of the agreement by the Lebanese state.
The original deal, brokered by the US and France, aimed to end a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides committed to ending hostilities permanently. However, on Friday, some Israeli soldiers remained in the region as the deadline approached, citing incomplete enforcement.
Thousands of Lebanese residents have returned to border areas since the deal was agreed upon, though warnings about regional safety persist. The health ministry reported 22 deaths caused by Israeli soldiers over the weekend, while the Israeli military claimed it had fired warning shots without specifying casualties and apprehended individuals described as posing an immediate threat.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, supported by Iran, escalated last September, leading to intense air strikes and ground operations that killed around 4,000 people in Lebanon. The offensive displaced over a million residents and sought to allow around 60,000 returning from northern communities, while Hezbollah’s forces targeted areas along the border.
The ongoing peace efforts highlight the complexities of addressing decades-long tensions in the region.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx25x2lvk7ro