The Lebanese health ministry announced 22 people were killed and another 124 were injured as Israeli army opened fire at demonstrators who were protesting Israel’s failure to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon by the 60-day deadline stipulated in the ceasefire agreement that ended the recent war with Hezbollah.

The protests erupted in multiple villages near the border, including Houla, Aitaroun, and Blida. Demonstrators, some carrying Hezbollah flags, attempted to breach roadblocks set up by the Israeli army the previous day to prevent entry into the border area.

أهالي #كفركلا يتجاوزون الساتر والحاجز الذي وضعه الجيش الإسرائيلي ومعلومات عن إصابات بين أبناء البلدة pic.twitter.com/VMCY6iH2MX

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) January 26, 2025

The Lebanese army announced that one soldier was killed and another wounded by Israeli military forces in southern Lebanon. According to the military’s statement, the fatal shooting occurred on the Marwahin-Dhayra-Tyre road, while the injured soldier was hit in the town of Mays al-Jabal.

The municipality of Kfarshuba announced that, following contacts with the Lebanese Army, the residents of the town will be allowed to return to their homes starting Monday morning. However, they are required to adhere to the condition of not trespassing the town's boundaries towards the areas of Al-Najma, Al-Ayn, Al-Kroum, Al-Shamis, Al-Sawan, and Khillat Shabbat for the time being. The municipality also reminded residents to refrain from raising partisan flags and posters, except for the Lebanese flag.

The Israeli army confirmed that its troops operating in southern Lebanon fired warning shots and took action to remove threats posed by individuals attempting to reach villages in areas where Israeli forces remain deployed.

The military said it had also apprehended several individuals believed to have posed an imminent threat to the troops. The suspects, who were reportedly approaching the forces' positions, were detained and are currently being questioned at the scene.

"The Israeli army remains deployed in southern Lebanon and continues to operate in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the military said in a statement. "We are monitoring Hezbollah's attempts to return to southern Lebanon and will act against any threats posed to our troops or the State of Israel."

Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson posted on X earlier on Sunday, warning residents of the border area not to attempt to return to their villages. The spokesperson accused Hezbollah of trying to "heat up the situation" and said the Israeli army would "in the near future" inform them of places to which they can return.

#الجيش_الإسرائيلي يعتقل شابين في #حولا جنوبي لبنان pic.twitter.com/V7QniDbvwa

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) January 26, 2025

The ceasefire agreement, reached in late November, required Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon within 60 days. The deal also mandated the removal of Hezbollah’s weapons and fighters from the area and the deployment of the Lebanese army to ensure security.

Israel has justified its continued presence in the region, claiming that the Lebanese army has not fully deployed to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing a military presence. Meanwhile, the Lebanese military has accused Israel of stalling its withdrawal.

The situation has left thousands of displaced Lebanese residents unable to return to their homes. On Saturday, Israel issued a directive prohibiting residents from returning to the border area until further notice.