Israeli forces open fire again in Lebanon

Israeli forces opened fire on residents of southern Lebanon for the second day in a row on Monday as residents continued their attempts to return to their homes along the border, a day after at least two dozen people were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli attacks, according to Lebanese officials. He said.

The Israeli fire on Sunday was the most violent wave of violence in Lebanon since the war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah ended in a truce in November. At least two people were injured in renewed violence on Monday, including a child, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Israeli military said on Monday that it had redeployed to areas in southern Lebanon, and repeated its calls on Lebanese residents to wait for their approval before returning home. The Lebanese Army sent reinforcements to parts of southern Lebanon earlier in the day, preparing to enter some towns and protect civilians, the official Lebanese News Agency reported.

Israeli forces killed at least 24 people and wounded more than 134 others on Sunday, Lebanese officials said, after thousands of Lebanese marched into southern towns and villages. These areas remain occupied by Israel after the expiration of a 60-day deadline for its withdrawal under a ceasefire agreement reached in November, which called for Israel and Hezbollah forces to leave southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeeping forces to Spread strongly there.

The Israeli army said in a statement on Sunday that it fired “warning shots” to disperse what it described as “rioters.” Israel indicated last week that it would remain in southern Lebanon despite the deadline, amid Doubts about the Lebanese Army’s ability to thwart Hezbollah’s return.

Negotiators had hoped that a US-brokered ceasefire would make way for a more sustainable settlement. But as the 60-day deadline expired on Sunday, the White House issued a statement saying the initial agreement would be extended until February 18. The Lebanese Prime Minister’s office confirmed the extension, which they said came after discussions with US officials. The flurry of diplomatic activity appears aimed at buying time and averting further bouts of violence.

Sunday’s bloodshed sparked urgent calls from the United Nations for restraint amid growing fears of continued Israeli occupation and renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. But Hezbollah stopped short of its signature calls for revenge in the wake of the killings.

Experts, exposed to the deadliest war with Israel in decades, say the group has little incentive to reignite a conflict that would only weaken the group further as it tries to recover. Instead, in a statement, Hezbollah called on the international community to “assume its responsibilities” and pressure Israel to “completely withdraw from our lands.”