Israel Tensions in Lebanon after deadline expires - at least 15 dead
Following the expiry of an important deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, tensions are rising in southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 15 people were killed by Israeli fire, including one soldier. A further 83 were injured. Residents had tried to return to their homes in the south despite the Israeli troops still stationed there.
26.01.2025, 17:41
SDA
Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia had agreed on a ceasefire at the end of November after more than a year of shelling. The agreement originally also provided for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon within 60 days. According to the latest Israeli information, however, this will be delayed. Lebanon has not yet fully implemented its part of the agreement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained the decision. The Lebanese army, which is supposed to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and prevent Hezbollah from returning to the area, is not moving fast enough.
No indication of possible casualties from Israel's army
Upon request, Israel's military stated that suspects had approached troops and that Israeli soldiers had therefore fired warning shots to avert threats. Several people had been arrested and were being questioned on site. The army did not initially provide any information on possible victims.
Since early Sunday morning, residents had gathered in villages in the south near the Israeli border, as the state agency NNA reported. Photos and videos showed residents with yellow Hezbollah flags and motorcades with portraits of the slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
"We are determined to enter our villages - at whatever cost," a woman named Fatima told the German Press Agency. A man named Mohammed said he wanted to enter his home with his family. "We have the right," he said. A man named Ali said the 60-day deadline for the agreed withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon had expired. "They should have left. They are occupiers and this is our land."
One video showed a group of residents standing in front of an Israeli tank, while others gathered in front of Israeli army blockades on country roads. In some cases, there was footage of women standing in the way of tanks and then talking to Israeli soldiers.
UN: Conditions do not yet allow a return to the south
According to UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the conditions in the country do not yet allow residents in the south to return. Although the violence in the country has decreased significantly, there are still repeated violations of UN Resolution 1701, the implementation of which is the only way to "end the latest dark chapter of the conflict and open a new one", Hennis-Plasschaert said. UN Resolution 1701 stipulates, among other things, that Hezbollah should withdraw behind the Litani River about 30 kilometers north of the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Lebanese army is to monitor compliance with the agreement.
According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army tried to keep residents as far away as possible from places where the troops are still stationed. The army said that information would be provided about places for safe return in the south. "Until then, we ask you to wait and see." Previous orders regarding inaccessible areas remain in effect.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun declared: "I share the joy of the people in the south over the triumph of justice and call on them to exercise restraint and trust in the (Lebanese) armed forces."
The Lebanese army, for its part, stated that it had not yet been able to deploy its troops in the south as agreed. It would accompany residents on their return. The army accused the Israeli military of violating Lebanon's sovereignty and also of breaking the ceasefire.
