Israeli Forces Kill 22 in Southern Lebanon Amid Withdrawal Deadline

On January 26, Israeli forces opened fire on protesters in southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 22 deaths, including six women and a Lebanese soldier, and injuring 124 others. The protests erupted as residents demanded Israel's withdrawal from the region following a ceasefire agreement that stipulated a 60-day deadline for troop withdrawal, which had not been met. The Israeli military stated that they fired warning shots to neutralize threats, claiming that Hezbollah was inciting the protests, while the Lebanese army maintained that it could not deploy until Israel fully withdrew. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the violence and called for calm, emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, exacerbated by the failure to implement the ceasefire agreement fully. Meanwhile, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that the death toll in the war with Israel has reached over 47,000, with many casualties occurring despite a ceasefire.