Two Lebanese civilians killed by Israeli forces, 17 wounded

Israeli forces have killed two Lebanese civilians and wounded 17 more on January 27th, in a second day of attacks, according to The New Arab.

Hundreds of unarmed Lebanese villagers who are desperate to go back to their homes in the south, tried to enter occupied villages when Israeli forces opened fire on them.

The health ministry said in a statement: “Israeli enemy attacks as citizens attempt to return to their towns that are still occupied have led… to two dead and 17 wounded.”

It has been reported that those wounded includes a child and a rescue worker.

In the village of Burj al-Muluk, men, women and children were gathered behind a dirt barrier, hoping to get to the border town of Kfar Kilar, according to AFP. The town is currently occupied by the Israeli military.

These clashes came after the extension of the January 26th deadline for Israeli forces to leave south Lebanon.

The extension was made following Israel’s breach of the terms on January 26th by refusing to withdraw their troops from south Lebanon. As the Lebanese attempted to return to their homes, Israel opened fire, killing 24 people.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on January 27th that Lebanon agreed to the ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel being extended until February 18th.

The displaced Lebanese people are getting more and more frustrated at the Lebanese government and army, claiming that they lack support in fighting back against Israel’s breaches of the ceasefire.

But Hezbollah said on the evening of January 27th that they reject any justifications to lengthen the timescale for Israeli troops’ leaving southern Lebanon.

In a televised speech later on January 27th , Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called for the Israeli military to leave the south.

Qassem said: “Israel must withdraw… any consequences of a delay in the withdrawal rests on the United Nations, the United States, France and the Israeli entity.”

The New Arab