Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon leave 24 dead, 134 injured amid withdrawal delays

The number of casualties from Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon has climbed to 24 dead, including one Lebanese soldier, and 134 injured, according to a statement by the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Under the cease-fire agreement, the Israeli army was expected to withdraw from the areas it occupies in southern Lebanon by Jan. 26. However, during this period, Israel has continued to launch attacks on Lebanese territories, drawing widespread condemnation.

Among those killed, eight were women, while 14 of the injured were women, and 12 were children. The attacks were reported in 21 different locations across the south, with eight of these areas seeing fatalities.

An earlier statement reported 22 deaths and 124 injuries, but updated figures indicate further escalation as the withdrawal deadline nears.

Cease-fire agreement details

The cease-fire agreement, which came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, at 4 a.m. local time (5 a.m. Türkiye time), mandated that:

• The Lebanese army would gradually deploy to southern regions previously occupied by Israel.
• Israel would complete its withdrawal by Jan. 26, 2025.

However, despite the agreement, Israeli forces have been accused of violating the cease-fire through continued bombardments, demolition of homes, and other aggressive actions.

Delay in Israeli withdrawal

On Jan. 24, the Israeli military announced that it would not meet the agreed withdrawal deadline, citing delays in operations. The army stated that the withdrawal process was taking longer than anticipated and that it would not be able to fully exit southern Lebanon by Sunday.

In response, the United States announced that the agreement’s timeline would be extended to Feb. 18, providing additional time for Israel to comply with the terms.

Humanitarian concerns

The ongoing attacks and delay in withdrawal have exacerbated tensions in the region, with Lebanese civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The international community, particularly the United States, has called for restraint and adherence to the terms of the ceasefire agreement to prevent further loss of life.