Israeli army detonations in south Lebanon; Palestinian prisoners released from several Israeli prisons | LIVE

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday demanded that 2,500 children be immediately evacuated from Gaza to receive medical treatment, with guarantees that they can return to their families and communities, he said in a social media post.

The Health Ministry published a detailed and updated report on Israeli attacks on the health sector recorded in Lebanon from Oct. 8, 2023 to Jan. 27, 2025, as part of the war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The report indicates in particular that 223 caregivers and first responders were killed out of a total of 368 strikes recorded against care centers, hospitals or vehicles used by health personnel.

Find the details here.

An Israeli soldier was killed in Jenin during a confrontation with gunmen as part of the "Iron Wall" operation launched about ten days ago by the Israeli army, according to Haaretz. This is the 13th Israeli soldier killed in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. The incident also seriously injured one soldier and moderately injured three others.

New U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told Axios that rebuilding the Gaza Strip could take "10 to 15 years."

Israeli authorities announced that they released all 110 Palestinian detainees scheduled for release on Thursday, according to AFP.

UNRWA continues to provide aid and services to Palestinian populations in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Thursday, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, as the agency's ban in Israel officially came into effect on Thursday.

Hamas confirms the death of the head of its armed wing Mohammed Deif.

Israel claimed to have killed him in 2024.

The Israeli army launched flares into the sky over Odaisseh (Marjayoun), according to L'Orient Today's correspondent.

The Israeli army caused an explosion in the area of ​​al-Harika, located on the outskirts of Aitaroun, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent.

A new body and the parts of a second, killed by Israeli bombings, were found in Khiam by the Civil Defense, according to a statement. The latter is continuing its search in cooperation with the army. At least 50 bodies have been found so far in this village, which was the scene of very violent clashes during the war between Hezbollah and Israel. The bodies were transferred to the government hospital in Marjayoun to be identified.

The Civil Defense also confirmed that two excavators used for the search were destroyed by Israeli drone attacks in Taybeh (Marjayoun). Civil Defense personnel were forced to withdraw from the scene for their own safety.

The Finance Ministry announced in a statement that the land registry office in Bint Jbeil would open its doors on Friday from 1 p.m. to receive applications from residents who have returned to their villages.

The South Lebanon Water Authority said, in a statement, that it was continuing the process of assessing the damage suffered by its infrastructure following the Israeli bombardments that targeted the region during the war and after the ceasefire, in the villages and towns that it can reach.

Find the details here.

The Gazan Health Ministry announced on Tuesday a new death toll of at least 47,460 in the Palestinian territory as a result of the war with Israel.

Despite a fragile truce that came into effect on Jan. 19, the death toll released by Gaza's Health Ministry continues to rise daily, as bodies discovered under the rubble are identified or people die from their injuries.

Over the past 24 hours, 43 additional deaths have been recorded, according to the ministry, which puts the number of war wounded at 111,580.

Buses carrying Palestinian detainees released from Israeli jails have arrived in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, according to Reuters.

Two buses of released Palestinian prisoners leave Israel's Ofer prison, AFP journalists reported.

According to L'Orient Today's correspondent, a second drone fired on an excavator in Taybeh (Marjayoun), a construction vehicle used to search for the bodies of the missing under the rubble of the locality, heavily bombed by Israel during the war. The first strike also targeted a construction vehicle.

The Israeli army also detonated buildings that were part of old water supply facilities on the outskirts of the town.

In addition, there were two explosions in Kfar Kila (Marjayoun), caused by Israeli army dynamiting operations.

The release of the 110 Palestinian detainees began a few minutes ago, after several hours of delay, Haaretz reports.

Photo sent by our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.

South Lebanon

According to our correspondent, an Israeli drone fired at the vicinity of the Husseiniyah (Shiite place of worship) in Taybeh, in the Marjayoun district.

South Lebanon

The Israeli army opened fire on two civilians inspecting their farm in Rmeish (Bint Jbeil), even though they had received the green light from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), reports our correspondent.

Occupied West Bank

The Israeli army and the Shin Bet have announced that the air force has killed 10 people in Tamoun, in the occupied West Bank, including two men involved in a bomb attack last week that killed one soldier and wounded three others in the area, Haaretz reports.

Gaza

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared that the five hostages of Thai nationality who were freed today in Gaza by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad will be repatriated to their homes in around 10 days. They had been captured on Oct. 7, 2023.

Occupied West Bank

The Israeli army opened fire on a crowd gathered near Ofer Prison in Beitunia to celebrate the anticipated release of Palestinian detainees, set to begin at 5 p.m. local time, Al Jazeera reported.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams are treating 12 wounded individuals. Two were shot with live bullets fired by Israeli soldiers, two were hit by rubber-coated bullets, and eight suffered from tear gas inhalation.

Gaza/Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that mediators of the Israeli-Palestinian prisoner exchange deal have pledged to ensure a “safe exit from Gaza” for hostages who will be freed in the upcoming phases of the agreement.

“Israel insists that lessons be implemented and that greater care be taken in the next phases to ensure the safe return of our hostages,” Netanyahu’s office said.

This statement is expected to pave the way for the imminent release of 110 Palestinian prisoners, scheduled for 5 p.m. local time.

Israel/Palestine

The European Union will hold back-to-back diplomatic meetings in Brussels — one with Israel in February and another with the Palestinian Authority in March — the European Commission announced Thursday.

The meetings will take place on the sidelines of the EU foreign ministers’ councils, scheduled for Feb. 24 and March 17 in the Belgian capital.

South Lebanon

The Israeli army caused an explosion in the town of Markaba, in the Marjayoun district, our correspondent reported.

Gaza

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Thursday she was “delighted” by the release of five Thai hostages held in Gaza for over a year.

The Thai nationals, who were abducted during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, were freed as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange under the cease-fire in Gaza.

South Lebanon

The Israeli army set fire to houses on the outskirts of Aitaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district, our correspondent reported.

Gaza

Following discussions with Qatari mediators, Israel is expected to proceed with the release of Palestinian prisoners at 5 p.m. local time, as scheduled under the agreement in exchange for the three Israeli hostages freed earlier Thursday, Haaretz reported.

Gaza/Turkey

Turkey facilitated the release of five Thai hostages held in Gaza for nearly 16 months, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported Thursday.

According to Anadolu, Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) engaged in talks with Hamas at the direction of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The five Thai nationals, kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, during Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, were released Thursday along with three Israeli hostages as part of the third exchange under the cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.

On Wednesday, Erdogan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and the head of Turkey’s intelligence agency met in Ankara with a Hamas delegation led by Mohammed Ismail Darwish, the chairman of the group’s shura council.

Syria

Saudi Arabia congratulated Ahmad al-Sharaa on his appointment as Syria’s interim president, AFP reported.

Gaza

The Israeli government announced in the afternoon that it had ordered to “delay” the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners scheduled for today, in exchange for the release of three Israelis, who were being held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [...] has ordered to delay the release of the terrorists scheduled for today, until the release of our hostages is safely guaranteed in the next steps,” said a statement from Netanyahu's office after the chaos that earlier erupted over the release of an Israeli hostage, Arbel Yehud, in Khan Younes, in the southern Gaza Strip.

South Lebanon

An Israeli helicopter dropped a bomb near a motorcycle on the outskirts of Tallouseh (Marjayoun district), injuring two civilians, reports our correspondent in the South.

Gaza

Israel has suspended “until further notice” the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners that was due to take place today in exchange for the return of eight hostages who were being held in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli military radio.

“The political echelon has announced the suspension of the operation to release the terrorists until further notice,” military radio reported, citing a security source. This decision was taken after the chaos surrounding the release of some of the hostages in Khan Younes (south), denounced as “shocking scenes” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Following the release of eight hostages by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Israel suspends the release of Palestinian detainees “until further notice.”

Gaza

Israeli army says seven freed hostages have arrived in Israel.

Gaza

Norway donates $24 million to UNRWA, on the day of the Israeli ban coming into effect, AFP reports, citing the Norwegian government.

South Lebanon

An Israeli strike hit a bulldozer assisting paramedics in recovering bodies from the rubble in Yarin (Sour), our correspondent in the South reports.

Syria

Qatar commits to aiding Syria’s reconstruction, according to Syria’s foreign minister, as cited by AFP.

Gaza

The Israeli army said it retrieved seven more hostages, including five foreigners, from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) after more than three hours of chaos during the release process in southern Gaza.

"The seven freed hostages are currently accompanied by special forces and Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security service) on their way back to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical examination," the army said in a statement.

Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the chaos surrounding the release of two Israeli hostages in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, calling it "shocking scenes."

"I watch in horror the shocking scenes of our hostages' release. This is further proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization," Netanyahu said in a statement cited by AFP.

South Lebanon

• An Israeli warplane hit Tallouseh (Marjayoun district), near a family inspecting their home. No injuries have been reported so far.
• The Israeli army destroyed businesses and vehicles in Burj el-Mlououk (Marjayoun). It also set fire to a poultry farm and an egg storage facility in Tel al-Nahas, Kfar Kila (Marjayoun).

Gaza

Israel says Hamas has released to the ICRC two Israeli hostages and five foreigners, reports AFP.

Gaza

Agam Berger, the Israeli hostage freed by Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip this morning, is on her way by helicopter to an Israeli hospital after being reunited with her parents, according to the Israeli army.

The 20-year-old soldier and her parents “have just taken off in a (military) helicopter for the hospital, where she will receive medical treatment and be reunited with the rest of her family,” said a military statement.

Gaza

Students who had been blocking access to the Institut d'études politiques (IEP) in Strasbourg, eastern France, since Monday, to protest against its partnership with an Israeli university, have been evacuated by the police.

“The university presidency has requisitioned the police to ensure access to the building housing Sciences Po Strasbourg this morning,” said the University of Strasbourg in a statement.

South Lebanon

According to the state-run National News Agency (NNA), an interceptor missile exploded over Burj al-Moulouk, in the district of Marjayoun, shortly before the Israeli army announced that it had intercepted a “Hezbollah drone.”

🔴 South Lebanon

The Israeli army claims to have “intercepted” a Hezbollah information-gathering drone. The drone did not set off any warning sirens, according to an army announcement on X.

This is the first drone interception announcement since the cease-fire on Nov. 27, 2024.

The Israeli army claims to have intercepted a drone launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon, according to Haaretz.

Syria

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim ben Hamad Al-Thani, was welcomed by Syria's new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Damascus, reports AFP. He is the first head of state to visit Syria since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, less than two months after the rebels led by the radical Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) came to power. His visit follows that of his Prime Minister in mid-January.

Gaza

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected in Doha to meet Hamas leaders, Iranian diplomacy announced in a statement.

“Meetings with high-ranking Hamas officials to salute the victory of the Palestinian people in the legendary 16-month resistance and a review of the latest developments in Palestine are on the agenda for this trip,” the text said. During his trip to Doha, Araghchi will also “consult Qatari officials on current developments in the region,” the Iranian statement added.

Gaza

A crowd gathers in Khan Younes, in the Gaza Strip, ahead of the expected release of hostages Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Moses, as well as five Thai nationals, reports Haaretz. The handover of the hostages to the Red Cross will take place near the site of the former home of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the Israeli media outlet reported, citing Al-Jazeera.

According to Haaretz, a convoy of Islamic Jihad vehicles will arrive near Sinwar's house before the release, while the Red Cross is on its way to Khan Younes.

Gaza

Agam Berger, recently freed, crossed the border into Israel and is currently on her way to the Israeli reception point in the region bordering Gaza, where she will be reunited with her parents, reports Arabic-speaking Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee on X.

Syria

Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Damascus, according to Reuters. This is the first visit made by an Arab leader to the Syrian capital since the fall of the Syrian regime on Dec. 8.

South Lebanon

The Israeli army set fire to a house on the outskirts of Tallousseh, near Houla, in the Marjayoun district, reports our correspondent.

Israeli artillery also fired two shells at the Shebaa hills in the Hasbaya district.

Gaza

The Israeli soldier Agam Berger, held hostage in the Gaza Strip, was handed over this morning by Hamas to the Red Cross in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, according to an AFP journalist.

Agam Berger is the first of three Israeli hostages kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, due to be released later today, after 482 days in captivity, in exchange for 110 Palestinians held by Israel, as part of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas. Five Thai nationals kidnapped on the same day are also due to be released later today.

Gaza

According to information from the Red Cross, Israeli hostages have been handed over to the organization and are on their way to a team of Israeli army and Shin Bet soldiers inside the Gaza Strip, reports Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army's Arabic-speaking spokesman on X.

According to an AFP journalist present, Israeli soldier Agam Berger was handed over to the Red Cross in Jabalia.

Gaza

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video Thursday morning showing two Israeli hostages set to be freed later in the day in Gaza as part of a new exchange with Palestinians detained by Israel.

The brief footage shows 80-year-old Israeli-German citizen Gadi Moses and 29-year-old Israeli Arbel Yehud hugging and smiling. A source in the Islamic Jihad said both would be handed over to the Red Cross by the group’s military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

South Lebanon

The Israeli military confirmed in a post on X by its Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, that it carried out an airstrike on southern Lebanon on Wednesday night, saying it targeted "a construction vehicle used in an attempt to build Hezbollah infrastructure."

An Israeli drone struck an excavator parked in Yohmor al-Shqeif, in the Nabatieh district, that evening.

South Lebanon

Residents of Kfar Kila, in the Marjayoun district, issued a statement condemning the attack on an LBCI news crew two days ago in the town. They denied any involvement by local youth in the incident but did not specify who was responsible.

"We appreciate the efforts of all media covering our situation. When entering the town, we welcome everyone, including the LBCI team," the statement read.

A team from Lebanese broadcaster LBCI was attacked Monday night "by a group of young men" in Deir Mimas and along the Khardali road while reporting on the return of displaced residents to southern border villages, where the Lebanese Army has deployed.

South Lebanon

After 10 p.m., flares were spotted over Markaba in the Marjayoun district, and machine gun fire was heard in the area, according to our correspondent.

At midnight, Israeli military vehicles advanced toward Wadi Slouki in the same district amid heavy gunfire.

A large explosion, carried out by the Israeli army in Markaba, was heard across several southern villages.

Gaza

The cease-fire has allowed an influx of international aid into the territory, which remains under Israeli blockade and faces dire humanitarian needs.

However, Hamas officials on Wednesday accused Israel of delaying the entry of aid, including "fuel, tents, caravans and heavy machinery," warning that such delays could "disrupt the agreement’s implementation, including prisoner exchanges."

Israel’s defense ministry body overseeing Palestinian affairs, COGAT, denied the claim as "fake news," saying that "3,000 trucks entered Gaza" between Jan. 26 and midday Wednesday.

Gaza

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is set to cease operations "on Israeli territory" Thursday, a year after controversy erupted over the alleged involvement of some of its employees in the Oct. 7 attack.

Despite more than 75 years of existence and opposition from parts of the international community, UNRWA is being phased out of Israel. The Israeli Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a request to suspend laws passed in late October that aim to shut down the agency's activities.

The court stated that the laws apply "only to Israel’s sovereign territory" and "do not prohibit [UNRWA's] activities in the West Bank and Gaza," but specified that these must proceed without Israeli involvement.

Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Hamas had provided the names of hostages expected to be freed Thursday, as well as three men scheduled for release Saturday.

On Thursday, Israel expects the release of Agam Berger, 20, a soldier captured on Oct. 7, and Arbel Yehud, 29, a civilian abducted from Nir Oz, along with 80-year-old German-Israeli Gadi Moses. Five Thai nationals are also set to be freed.

They will be exchanged for 110 Palestinians held by Israel, including 32 serving life sentences, according to a Palestinian NGO. Of the released prisoners, 20 will be exiled. They are expected to arrive in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank around noon (10 a.m. GMT).

Gaza

Israel and Hamas are set to carry out their third exchange of hostages for prisoners Thursday under the fragile cease-fire aimed at ending 15 months of war. Eight hostages — three Israelis and five Thai nationals — are to be released from Gaza.

A fourth exchange is planned for Saturday, with three hostages expected to be freed, according to the schedule announced by Israel.

Good morning! Thank you for joining us for today's live coverage of the cease-fires in Lebanon and Gaza, and the events in the region.

Make sure to read today's Morning Brief to get caught up with yesterday's key events.