Israel’s ceasefire violations and strategic motives
Israeli forces have killed over 20 persons in Lebanon and one Palestinian in Gaza after opening fire on civilians attempting to return to their homes following ceasefire agreements for both countries. In addition, Israeli officials ordered the UN agency for Palestinian refugees to leave its East Jerusalem hub offices by Thursday, 23 Jan 2025, threatening to completely ban its activities in Israel and endanger relief efforts in Gaza at a crucial juncture. There were provisions in two different agreements to stop combat with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, allowing displaced people to begin returning on Sunday, 26 Jan 2025. However, reports indicate that Israeli forces continued obstructing return efforts despite the ceasefire provisions.
Israel requested an extension beyond the 60-day withdrawal period outlined in the ceasefire agreement that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war in late November. The White House announced on Sunday, 19 Jan 2025, that Israel and Lebanon had reached an agreement to extend the deadline for Israeli troops. According to the agreement, they must leave southern Lebanon by February 18. Yet, tensions on the border remain high, with reports of renewed clashes between returning Lebanese civilians and Israeli forces.
Will Palestinians go back to Gaza?
In the meantime, early Monday morning, 20 Jan 2025, the UN declared that an agreement had been reached to free an Israeli civilian hostage and for Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. Thousands of people gathered close to a major Israeli checkpoint in Gaza, the entry to a wide military corridor that now divides the strip in two. Many were desperate to leave temporary shelters and refugee camps, hoping to return to their homes, even if it meant setting up tents in the wreckage or searching for any remaining belongings.
However, tensions escalated as Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement by delaying the release of hostage Arbel Yehoud. The release was expected alongside the return of four Israeli soldiers, but Yehoud remained in captivity, delaying the process. Fadi al-Sinwar, waiting to return to northern Gaza after being displaced earlier in the conflict, expressed frustration, stating, “One person is responsible for the fate of over a million people. Do you realize how valuable we are? We have no value,” he told the Associated Press.
Hamas insisted that Yehoud was still alive and accused Israel of using her case as a “pretext” to violate the agreement. Following negotiations, Israeli officials agreed to permit Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, while Hamas committed to releasing Yehoud and two other hostages by Friday. Despite Israeli military warnings that returning would “expose them to danger,” citizens in Lebanon had already begun traveling to border villages in civilian convoys.
Statistics of human loss
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, Israeli forces opened fire on demonstrators attempting to enter communities, killing at least 22 people, including six women and a Lebanese soldier, and wounding 124 more. Israeli forces also detained multiple individuals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Friday that the Lebanese government had not yet “fully enforced” an agreement to ensure Hezbollah’s withdrawal past the Litani River. As a result, Israel announced an extension of its military presence beyond the initial 60-day period, citing security concerns.
Videos captured intense confrontations between Lebanese protesters shouting slogans and waving banners. One woman cried, “Go back to your country!” while standing just meters away from Israeli soldiers, who responded with warning shots fired into the ground. Others, including women and children, carried images of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated by Israel in September, and raised Hezbollah flags in defiance.
Lebanon defends sovereignty
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared that “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable” and vowed to take diplomatic measures to protect the rights and dignity of Lebanese citizens. To shield civilians from Israeli fire, Lebanese soldiers walked side by side with demonstrators in border villages. Some troops attempted to prevent people from returning to unsafe areas, but many ignored the warnings.
The demonstrations on Sunday marked the first mass return attempt since Israel launched its operation in southern Lebanon in September. According to satellite imagery, entire villages near the border have been reduced to rubble due to Israeli airstrikes. Israeli officials claimed that the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, but independent assessments have yet to verify the extent of militant presence in the affected areas.
