Sun Jan 26 09:15:14 UTC 2025: ## Israeli Forces Kill Three, Delay Withdrawal from South Lebanon Amid Ceasefire Violations

**BEIRUT** – Israeli forces opened fire on civilians in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing at least three and injuring 31, violating a ceasefire agreement that stipulated their withdrawal from the area. The attacks occurred on the day Israeli troops were scheduled to fully withdraw under a November truce brokered by the US and France, bringing an end to over a year of conflict.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that Israeli forces targeted civilians attempting to return to their villages after months of displacement. This directly contradicts a message issued earlier by Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee, warning residents of over 60 villages not to return.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hezbollah for the delayed withdrawal, claiming insufficient pullback from the border region. However, Lebanon denies these accusations and insists Israel should respect the agreed-upon deadline.

Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr reported from southern Lebanon that Israeli forces justify their continued presence by citing the alleged inadequacy of the Lebanese army’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah and dismantle its military infrastructure. However, Khodr emphasized a lack of independent verification for these claims.

The ceasefire agreement included provisions for the Lebanese army to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers as Israeli forces withdrew over a 60-day period. Hezbollah also agreed to retreat north of the Litani River and dismantle its military infrastructure. The international community is now calling for an urgent clarification of the situation and a swift resolution to the ongoing tensions. The incident casts a serious shadow on the fragile ceasefire and raises concerns about the future stability of the region.

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