Joseph Aoun Elected Lebanon's President, Signaling Shift in Regional Power Dynamics

Israeli troops opened fire in southern Lebanon on January 26, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 11 people, including a Lebanese soldier, and injuring 83 others, according to Lebanon's health ministry. This violence occurred as hundreds of residents attempted to return to their homes on the last day of a ceasefire agreement that stipulated an Israeli military withdrawal over a 60-day period, which is anticipated to remain unfulfilled, officials stated. The ceasefire, initiated following a two-month conflict with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, aimed for the Lebanese army to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers as Israeli forces retreated. However, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee had earlier warned locals against returning, claiming compliance with the agreement was lacking on the Lebanese side. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for international support to enforce the ceasefire terms. Meanwhile, the UN has acknowledged that conditions are not yet safe for civilians to return, urging caution amid ongoing tensions and military presence around border areas.

Israeli troops opened fire in southern Lebanon on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, including one Lebanese soldier, and injuring 83 others as citizens attempted to return home. This violence coincided with a 60-day withdrawal deadline for Israeli forces as stipulated by a ceasefire agreement reached with Hezbollah on November 27, 2024. With the deadline approaching, the Lebanese health ministry reported the fatalities and injuries, attributing the gunfire to Israeli forces targeting returning residents. Eyewitnesses described lines of vehicles, some displaying Hezbollah flags, trying to access various villages amidst ongoing Israeli military presence. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah praised the residents’ resolve, despite the threats from the Israeli military. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged citizens to trust the military to ensure their safe return, acknowledging the tensions and the risks involved. The United Nations has noted that the terms of the ceasefire have not been met, with both the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers poised to deploy in the south once Israeli forces withdraw. However, indications suggest that Israel may miss the established deadline, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office claimed that compliance by the Lebanese state remains incomplete. The fragile truce following two months of fighting has led to accusations of violations from both sides, while calls for intervention from international stakeholders continue as the situation in the region remains tense.

At least 15 people have been reported killed and over 80 injured in southern Lebanon following clashes with Israeli forces on Sunday. The violence erupted as protesters, including some carrying Hezbollah flags, gathered to demand Israeli withdrawal from the region in accordance with a ceasefire agreement. This agreement, which ended the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, included a 60-day deadline for Israeli troops to retreat. The fatalities include two women and a Lebanese army soldier, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The protests spanned across more than a dozen villages near the Israel-Lebanon border, where demonstrators expressed frustration over Israel's continued military presence. The Israeli army stated that it fired warning shots to address perceived threats and claimed that Hezbollah had incited the protests. They stated that their troops would remain in the area until the Lebanese army is able to ensure that Hezbollah does not reestablish itself along the border. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized the importance of national sovereignty and urged the public to exercise self-restraint. Meanwhile, United Nations representatives have expressed concerns regarding the breach of the ceasefire and called for compliance from both Israel and Lebanon to restore order. As local tensions escalate, around 112,000 Lebanese citizens remain displaced from the recent conflict, adding to the humanitarian challenges faced in the region.