At least 15 killed in clashes between Israeli army and protesters in southern Lebanon

Lebanese health officials announced that at least 15 people, including two women and one Lebanese army soldier, were killed and over 80 injured during an Israeli attack on Lebanese protesters demanding Israel's withdrawal based on a ceasefire agreement. On Saturday, February 6, the Israeli army and the Lebanese army had asked the people of southern Lebanon to refrain from returning to their border areas. According to the Associated Press, protesters, some carrying Hezbollah flags, attempted on Sunday, February 7, to enter several border villages to protest Israel's non-compliance with the 60-day deadline for withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This event coincided with the end of the 60-day deadline in the ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire agreement requires the dismantling of Hezbollah's weapons and infrastructure, the withdrawal of the group's Iranian-backed militants from southern Lebanon, the deployment of Lebanese military units, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area within 60 days, that is, by Sunday, February 7. The Israeli army stated in a statement that Hezbollah was responsible for the events of Sunday. According to this statement, Israeli forces fired warning shots in several areas to prevent suspected individuals from approaching and detained and interrogated several suspects. Avichai Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army, accused Hezbollah 'rebels' of attempting to create tension and urged residents of the border areas in Lebanon not to attempt to return to their villages. Meanwhile, Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, emphasized the non-negotiable nature of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity in a statement to the people of southern Lebanon, announcing that he would pursue this matter and called for restraint and trust in the Lebanese armed forces. The Lebanese army also issued a separate statement urging residents of southern Lebanon to follow the army's orders to ensure their safety. Janine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and General Aruldo Lazaro, the commander of the UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), also issued a joint statement calling for Israel and Lebanon to adhere to their commitments to the ceasefire agreement. Israel stated that the Lebanese army has not yet deployed in all areas of southern Lebanon and that it will continue its presence in the area to prevent Hezbollah from regaining power. On the other hand, the Lebanese army stated that it cannot deploy its forces in the border areas until the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. According to the Associated Press, approximately 112,000 people in Lebanon remain displaced after the end of the war with Israel. Israel is on the verge of the end of the ceasefire: residents of southern Lebanon should not return to the area. The United States emphasized the necessity of extending the ceasefire in Lebanon. Israel: Hezbollah has turned a mosque into a weapons depot. Netanyahu: The complete withdrawal of Israel from southern Lebanon will not happen for now.