Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on January 27, 2025, that the government has agreed to extend the ceasefire with Israel until mid-February, despite an Israeli military attack that resulted in 22 fatalities, including a Lebanese soldier and six women.
The Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26 under the ceasefire agreement related to its conflict with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. However, Israel claimed that Lebanon had not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.
Following U.S. mediation, Lebanon has postponed the withdrawal deadline to February 18. Prime Minister Mikati confirmed the government's commitment to uphold the ceasefire agreement, following discussions with President Joseph Aoun and parliamentary leader Nabih Berri regarding the outcomes of talks with U.S. officials overseeing the accord.
On Sunday, the Israeli army stated that it opened fire in various communities, leading to the casualties as residents attempted to return home. The Israeli military described the actions as warning shots aimed at eliminating perceived threats from individuals approaching their troops.
Reports indicated that convoys of vehicles, some displaying Hezbollah flags, were seen heading towards areas devastated by the conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. The ceasefire agreement, which ended two months of conflict on November 27, stipulated that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers could operate in southern Lebanon.