Israel is slowly withdrawing from Lebanese villages it occupied, as part of a ceasefire deal. Lebanese residents waiting to return to their villages say the Israeli military has destroyed nearly everything.
Analysts, however, said Salam and Aoun have a unique opportunity. The collapse of the al-Assad regime, a constant meddler in Lebanese affairs, the weakening of Iran and the willingness of the international community to provide foreign aid and backing to Lebanon’s new leaders mean there is support for a reform agenda that wasn’t previously there.
The unusually direct U.S. intervention in Lebanon's sectarian politics appears aimed at capitalizing on shifts in the power balance.
Hezbollah and Israel reached a ceasefire in late November, ending a deadly conflict that began with the Gaza war in 2023. The U.S. confirmed on Sunday that the agreement, which includes a 60-day period for Israeli troop withdrawal, will remain in effect until Feb. 18, extending the original Jan. 26 deadline.
Israeli forces opened fire on Lebanese people returning to their homes in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 83 others. Lebanese residents attempted to return to their villages on the day a deadline for the Israeli military to withdraw from Lebanese territory expired.
Overnight Israeli air strikes on the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon killed two people, the health ministry said, two months into a fragile ceasefire.
At least 823 violations have been committed by Israeli forces since agreement went into effect - Anadolu Ajansı
The Lebanese military has asked residents of Naqura not to go back home for their own safety after Israel’s army issued similar orders, but in spite of the danger, Mayor Abbas Awada returned to inspec
Two people were killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley area, the Lebanese health ministry said on Friday, after the Israeli military said it had struck several Hezbollah targets overnight in the Bekaa Valley and along the Syrian-Lebanese border.
BEIRUT: The Israeli army ordered thousands of displaced Lebanese not to return to villages near the border until further notice, a day after it said its forces would remain in south Lebanon beyond a Sunday (Jan 26) deadline to withdraw.
Complaints lodged by Israel with committee overseeing its cease-fire with Lebanon allege the militant group is being propped up by the infusion of U.S. currency.