Death toll from Israel’s Sunday attacks on southern Lebanon rises
The Lebanese Health Ministry says the death toll in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon yesterday has increased to 24, while 134 others, including 12 children, were wounded.
The attacks came while people were attempting to return to their villages after Israeli forces failed to withdraw from southern parts of the country under a ceasefire agreement. That agreement has been extended until February 18, the US and Lebanon announced earlier today.
Israel tempted to ‘remain in Lebanon rather than withdrawing’
Filippo Dionigi, a lecturer of international relations at the University of Bristol, says it remains extremely uncertain what will happen in the next 20 days of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.
On Sunday, 24 Lebanese were killed and 134 wounded in attacks by Israeli troops.
“It’s possible we’ll see a continuation of tensions — possibly even more deadly incidents like the ones we witnessed yesterday,” Dionigi told Al Jazeera.
“Hezbollah does not have much of an incentive to escalate the situation,” Dionigi said, adding the group’s military capacity has been assessed as being reduced by 50-70 percent. “They may not have an appetite for reigniting the conflict.”
On the other hand, Israel has demonstrated over the past year-and-a-half it can do what it wants “without facing much consequences”, Dionigi noted.
“[Israel] is probably tempted to simply remain there [in Lebanon] and try to put pressure on the implementation of the conditions of the ceasefire through its presence, rather than withdrawing from Lebanese territory.”
One killed, many wounded in south Lebanon by Israeli troops
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says one person was killed by Israeli gunfire in Odaisseh town.
The ministry said many others were wounded. They included:
- two in Odaisseh,
- two in Yaroun, and
- two in Hula.
The casualties come a day after Israeli attacks in the Lebanon-Israel border area killed 24 people and wounded 134 others.
The attacks came while people were attempting to return to their villages after Israeli forces failed to withdraw from southern parts of the country under a ceasefire agreement. That deal has been extended until February 18.
US to start talks to free Lebanese detainees in Israeli prisons
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati says the United States will begin negotiations to return citizens being held in Israeli prisons.
The detainees were arrested by Israel after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, Israel’s war on Gaza, and Israel’s parallel war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
On Sunday, Israeli soldiers killed at least 22 people and injured more than 120 in southern Lebanon after protesters demanded their withdrawal. Demonstrators – some carrying Hezbollah flags – attempted to enter several villages to protest Israel’s failure to pull out by the 60-day ceasefire deadline.
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