Ceasefire in Lebanon Extended Amid Anticipation of More Hostage Releases from Gaza
The delicate ceasefire in Lebanon, alongside the one in Gaza, remains precarious. Recent developments have led to the resolution of certain issues in both regions, but the sustainability of these truces is still uncertain.
In a recent announcement, the White House confirmed that the ceasefire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in Lebanon has been extended for over three weeks, now set to last until February 18. This extension follows the expiration of a deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, which triggered violent incidents in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, an agreement brokered by Qatar has resulted in the release of an Israeli-German hostage held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The hostage is currently in the custody of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and officials have stated that she is alive. A spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry indicated that the Hamas group plans to release her along with two additional hostages by Friday.
In a reciprocal move, Israel has announced that displaced Palestinian civilians from southern Gaza will be allowed to return to northern areas starting this morning. An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed that this relocation began at 6:00 AM CET. Additionally, reports suggest that 30 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails will also be released, with three more Israeli hostages scheduled for release this Saturday.
The recent escalation of tensions in southern Lebanon followed the expiration of a critical deadline concerning the Israeli troop withdrawal. Residents attempted to return to their homes in the south, leading to tragic casualties; the Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 22 individuals, including a soldier, were killed by Israeli gunfire, with a further 124 wounded, among them minors and a paramedic.
In response to the heightened violence, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed serious concern and emphasized the necessity for de-escalation. The UNIFIL stated that peacekeeping troops would be deployed to specified areas as requested by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to monitor the situation and prevent further conflict. They also urged the Israeli military to refrain from targeting civilians on Lebanese territory.
Additionally, there are indications that the Israeli government has requested an extension from Washington for an additional 30 days to delay the withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon. Reports suggest that the slow progress of the Lebanese army in the region has hindered the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from completing their withdrawal. Israeli officials have noted ongoing discoveries of Hezbollah weapon caches in areas designated under the ceasefire, raising concerns that the Lebanese military may be providing assistance to the Iran-backed group.
