Key Takeaways:
– 22 individuals, including civilians and a Lebanese army soldier, killed during protests in southern Lebanon.
– Demonstrators were protesting Israel’s failure to withdraw by the agreed 60-day ceasefire deadline.
– Investigations are underway concerning suspects apprehended by Israeli troops.
– Israel defends actions, claiming Lebanese army is not adequately ensuring against Hezbollah’s reestablishment.
– Lebanese President emphasizes national sovereignty and insists on Israeli withdrawal.
– UNIFIL calls for strict adherence to ceasefire agreement, emphasizing removal of unauthorized weapons and safe repatriation of displaced civilians.
Protests Demand Israeli Withdrawal as Dead-End Deadline Ignites Violences
Sunday saw tragic occurrences in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces open fired on throngs of protesters, resulting in at least 22 deaths and over 124 injuries. Among the deceased were two women and a Lebanese army soldier, as confirmed by the health ministry.
Protesting Israel’s Continued Presence Post Ceasefire
Emphasizing their demand for Israeli forces to respect the ceasefire agreement, protesters, primarily waving Hezbollah flags, attempted to access several villages. The ceasefire settlement was designed after late November shrouded in the smoke of the Israel-Hezbollah war, mandating Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon within 60 days. Critically, however, this condition had not been met as at Sunday.
Lebanese authorities accused Israeli military of procrastination in executing the agreement. An extension on the ceasefire was announced by the White House on Sunday, moving this to Feb. 18. This announcement also divulged that negotiations were scheduled to commence regarding the repatriation of Lebanese prisoners captured in the wake of October 7, 2023.
Israeli Forces Blame Hezbollah amid Withdrawal Controversy
Israel gave its justification for its military’s continued presence in southern Lebanon and rebuffed the criticism from Lebanon. The grounds were the Lebanese army’s inability to successfully deploy to prohibit Hezbollah from reestablishing itself in the region.
However, the Lebanese army claims their full deployment is impossible without Israel’s withdrawal, thus forming a diplomatic impasse. Israeli forces blame Hezbollah for inflaming the protests and subsequently issuing “warning shots” at individuals attempting to approach them.
Emblematic of the escalating situation was the erection of security protocols, especially in Aitaroun, in the aftermath of Israel’s partial withdrawal from the region on January 26, a day marked with residents returning to their homes.
Diplomatic Interventions and On-the-Ground Responses
Amid escalating tensions, high-ranking Lebanese officials echoed public sentiment against Israel’s actions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated the nation’s insistence on sovereignty and territorial integrity, pledging to ensure the rights and dignity of citizens at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri underscored the necessity of international intervention to enforce Israel’s withdrawal. On the other hand, despite warnings from the Israeli military to residents of border areas, some Lebanese citizens had already begun returning to their homes and rebuilding their villages.
UNIFIL Speaks Out
The UN peacekeeping force extended its concerns about the deteriorating situation, highlighting the lingering Israeli army presence, failing to remove unauthorized weapons, and the need for the Lebanese army to fully deploy. The security instability risks undermining the fragile ceasefire and recently formed Lebanese government.
Situation at the Borders
Residents of border area villages have begun returning home, often to total ruins. These people are determined to recover their lives from the rubbles, despite the absence of Israeli army presence and warnings against returns.
This defiance is a testament to their resilience, summed up in the words of returning resident Hussein Bajouk, “These are our houses. However much they destroy, we will rebuild.” His words echo loud through the roar of gunfire, depicting the human cost of this conflict. With over 112,000 Lebanese still displaced, normalcy seems a far cry.
Undoubtedly, all sides must commit to attaining peace. The sooner all parties return to the negotiation table and respect the ceasefire agreements, the closer Lebanon gets to stability and security for its people.