Ceasefire agreement between ‘israel’ and Lebanon has been prolonged until February 18
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been prolonged by approximately three weeks, following Israel's reluctance to withdraw its forces as initially stipulated in the agreement.
An official statement released by the White House on Sunday confirmed that the agreement between Lebanon and Israel will remain in force until February 18, 2025.
In related developments, Lebanon, Israel, and the United States are set to engage in negotiations concerning the repatriation of Lebanese prisoners who were abducted following the events of October 7, 2023.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has confirmed the extension, asserting that Lebanon will adhere to it.
As per the ceasefire agreement unveiled in November between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli forces were scheduled to initiate their withdrawal from southern Lebanon on Sunday.
According to AFP, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that the Lebanese government is steadfast in its dedication to upholding the ceasefire agreement, with a commitment to continue its implementation until February 18, 2025.
In a recent escalation of violence, Israeli forces engaged in gunfire, targeting Lebanese civilians attempting to return to their homes in the southern region. This incident, which occurred on Sunday, resulted in the deaths of at least 22 individuals and left over 120 others injured.
Despite warnings from Israel, Lebanese citizens have declared their determination to return to their hometowns and villages.
The withdrawal was mandated as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hezbollah resistance movement.
Regime forces have maintained their presence in the occupied territories, in what is seen as a clear violation of the truce agreement and an encroachment on Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Over the weekend, the Israeli Defense Forces issued warnings to Lebanese citizens, advising against returning to their homes in the southern region of Lebanon. Additionally, defensive barriers were erected in the area by the Israeli military, signaling heightened tensions in the border zone.
On November 27, 2024, Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, following substantial battlefield losses and an inability to meet its strategic objectives, despite inflicting over 4,000 fatalities in Lebanon.
