Israeli Forces Again Open Fire in Lebanon

The Israeli military said on Monday that it had redeployed in areas of southern Lebanon, and again called for Lebanese residents to wait for its approval before returning home. Those warnings appeared to have little effect. The Lebanese military had sent reinforcements to parts of southern Lebanon earlier Monday, preparing to enter some towns and safeguard civilians determined to return home, Lebanon’s state-run news agency reported.

The Lebanese military said in a statement later on Monday that it had deployed to at least one town in the border region, a likely sign that Israeli forces had withdrawn from the area. It was unclear where else on Monday displaced residents had been able to return.

On Sunday, Israeli forces killed at least 24 people and injured over 134 others, Lebanese officials said, after thousands of Lebanese marched to southern towns and villages. Many of those areas still remain occupied by Israel past a 60-day deadline for its withdrawal under the November cease-fire agreement, which called for both Israel and Hezbollah forces to leave southern Lebanon and for the Lebanese Army and U.N. peacekeepers to deploy in force there.

The Israeli military said in a statement on Sunday that it had fired “warning shots” to disperse what it called “rioters.” Last week, Israel had indicated that it would remain in southern Lebanon despite the deadline, amid doubts about the Lebanese Army’s ability to stymie Hezbollah’s resurgence.

Negotiators had hoped that the U.S.-brokered cease-fire by now would have given way for a more permanent settlement. But as the 60-day deadline elapsed on Sunday, the White House issued a statement stating that the initial agreement would be extended until Feb. 18.

Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, said in a speech on Monday that the group did not accept the extension of the cease-fire agreement and called on Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon. However, Hezbollah is not a signatory to the deal, and the Lebanese government had already approved the extension after discussions with U.S. officials. The flurry of diplomatic activity appeared intended to buy time and stave off further bouts of violence.

During a meeting with U.S. officials on Monday, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, stressed that the extension did “not give Israel any excuse not to withdraw,” according to a statement from his office. He accused Israel of “procrastinating” and said pressure was needed to stop their “repeated violations” of the truce deal.