At least 22 people were killed and approximately 80 individuals were injured in a tragic incident on Sunday when Israeli troops opened fire on displaced civilians attempting to return to their villages in southern Lebanon. According to official reports from the Lebanese ministry of health, the casualties took place amidst heightened tensions following the failed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

Israeli forces claim they fired upon suspects who approached them and posed a threat. However, the Lebanese government and other international observers have condemned the actions, asserting that the civilians were not armed.

Delayed Withdrawal and Ceasefire Violations

The clashes erupted on the same day Israeli troops were expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon as dictated by the terms of the ceasefire agreement. However, Israel announced on Friday that it would delay its withdrawal due to reports that the Lebanese army had not effectively taken positions across southern Lebanon, nor had Hezbollah fighters moved north of the Litani river.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati sternly warned about potential grave repercussions from any Israeli deviation from the ceasefire terms. He urged American and French mediators to curb Israel’s actions and compel it to withdraw from occupied territories.

Truce Extension and Regional Reactions

On Sunday evening, the White House announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the truce until February 18th, granting Israeli troops additional time to withdraw.

Meanwhile, Egypt and Jordan rejected US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to their territories. Trump had earlier suggested that the countries take in Gaza residents after the area had reportedly become a “demolition site.”

Right-wing politicians in Israel reacted positively to Trump’s proposal. Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) party, encouraged the Israeli government to implement the idea of encouraging Palestinian voluntary emigration.

Tensions Escalating in Gaza

The unrest continued in Gaza, where Israeli forces killed a Gazan resident while approaching a roadblock on Salah al-Din road. Israel had originally prohibited passage to thousands of war refugees attempting to return to northern Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire.

Under the agreement, Israel was due to withdraw from parts of the Netzarim corridor, split through Gaza from east to west, on Saturday. However, Israel delayed the withdrawal due to alleged ongoing Hamas violations of the ceasefire.

Hamas had released four female soldiers in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails but failed to surrender a female civilian named Arbel Yehud, as stipulated in the deal. Israel maintained that passage through the Netzarim corridor would cease until her release.

Ninety hostages, including both dead and alive, remained in Gaza.

Resilience of Released Soldiers

The four female soldiers, who had been held captive by Hamas for 477 days, were released on Saturday and reunited with their families in a hospital in central Israel. These women, originally employed as Israel Defense Forces spotters, were lauded for their resilience.

Dr. Michal Steinman, a member of the medical team, praised their capacity for survival. “You see, each of these four strong women found a way to endure,” she expressed. “We are in the process of evaluating them medically and psychologically, but overall, we observe their incredible stamina and resolve.”

Impact on Released Prisoners

The 200 Palestinian prisoners released on Saturday were hailed as heroes in Gaza and the West Bank upon their return. Some of the freed prisoners came from the group responsible for numerous Israeli fatalities.

Seventy individuals, who had committed heinous crimes, left for Egypt, where some would remain, while others would relocate to Turkey and Algeria. After a three-year period in exile, they would be permitted to return to the Gaza Strip or West Bank.