Israeli forces kill woman while firing at Lebanese civilians trying to return to south

BEIRUT

Israeli forces killed a Lebanese woman and wounded several people Sunday, local media reported.

The Israeli army opened fire on residents trying to return to the village of Houla, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

The army also detained three civilians, it said.

The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed that two paramedics were abducted by Israeli forces in Houla, marking the first time Israel has kidnapped paramedics since October 2023.

A ministry statement said the paramedics were affiliated with the Islamic Scout Association, a group linked to the Amal Movement, an ally of the Hezbollah group.

Following the attack, the Lebanese army urged residents to avoid returning to southern areas where Israeli forces are still deployed.

Later the same night, NNA said the Israeli military released two Lebanese detainees, who were forced to walk back to the village’s western entrance, where the Lebanese army was stationed.

However, an Anadolu correspondent reported that the Israeli military had also abducted medics Imad Qassem and Elie Maalouf, raising the number of detainees to at least four. The Lebanese news website Janoubia said the total could be five.

Lebanese media also reported the demolition of a house by Israeli forces in the area between the towns of Kfarchouba and Shebaa in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes struck areas near Bodai, Hrabta and Hlabta in Lebanon’s Baalbek district, witnesses told Anadolu, without providing further details.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since Nov. 27, ending months of mutual shelling between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has committed over 930 violations, killing and injuring dozens in Lebanon, including women and children.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply.

Lebanese officials said Thursday that they rejected an Israeli demand to remain at five points in southern Lebanon beyond the withdrawal deadline.