A tragic incident unfolded in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on a group of residents attempting to return to the village of Houla. The Lebanese state-run news agency confirmed that a woman lost her life, while several others sustained injuries in the confrontation.
The incident occurred just two days before the deadline for the implementation of a ceasefire agreement that marked the end of the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement includes a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, with the original deadline extended to February 18.
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem emphasized the importance of Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory as per the agreement, rejecting any proposals for Israeli forces to remain in border points post-deadline.
Internal tensions in Lebanon have escalated in the lead-up to the withdrawal deadline, with recent events including the revocation of permission for an Iranian plane to land in Beirut and an Israeli airstrike near the village of Marwahin.
The Lebanese army has taken control of areas vacated by Israeli forces and issued warnings against citizens attempting to enter zones not yet secured by Lebanese troops.
Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have faced criticism for their handling of recent events, with accusations of implementing external demands and compromising national sovereignty.
As the deadline approaches, the situation in southern Lebanon remains tense, with concerns over potential escalations and the need for all parties to uphold the ceasefire agreement.
