Israel's stated goal was to allow the return of around 60,000 residents who had fled from communities in the country's north because of Hezbollah's attacks, and to remove the group from areas along the border.
Israel and Lebanon have extended their ceasefire through Feb. 18, according to the White House. The ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2024 and was set to expire Sunday. Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati confirmed the extension, which the White House says it "monitored." As of Monday morning, Israel had yet to appear to have confirmed the extension.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the situation in a statement on X, saying Lebanese civilians had been attempting to return to their homes that were still occupied by Israeli forces. "The IDF must avoid firing at civilians within Lebanese territory. Further violence risks undermining the fragile security situation in the area and prospects for stability ushered in by the cessation of hostilities and the formation of a Government in Lebanon," UNIFIL wrote.
