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Middle East updates: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended to Feb. 18

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers secure a roadblock in Borj El Mlouk on Jan. 26, 2025.
3:01
Rabih Daher/AFP via Getty Images
Israel says it won't withdraw from Lebanon by deadline
By David Brennan, Nadine El-Bawab, Jon Haworth, Kevin Shalvey, Bill Hutchinson
Last Updated: January 27, 2025, 10:30 AM

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect a week ago. Hostages held in the strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have started to be released under the multi-phased deal.

Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.

Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.

Latest headlines:

  • Death toll rises to 22 in southern Lebanon
  • Jordan rejects Trump's suggestion it take in more displaced Palestinians
  • Netanyahu thanks Trump in video message for resuming shipments of 2,000-pound bombs
  • Hamas condemns Trump's remarks on relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan
Here's how the news is developing.

Jan 27, 2025 10:30 AM

1 dead, 4 injured after IDF fired at 'dozens of suspects' in central Gaza

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its team evacuated one person who was killed, and four people who were injured, after an attack by Israeli snipers near the Wadi Gaza Bridge on Sunday.

Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that troops fired "warning shots" at "several gatherings of dozens of suspects" who the IDF said posed a threat to them.

Additionally, a rocket was destroyed by Israeli troops in southern Gaza, according to the IDF's statement.


Jan 27, 2025 10:30 AM

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had introductory call with Israel's Netanyahu

Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had an introductory call on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a statement from a U.S. senior defense official.

"Both leaders discussed the importance of advancing mutual security interests and priorities, especially in the face of persistent threats," according to the statement.

PHOTO: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 14, 2025.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 14, 2025.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Hegseth, who won Senate confirmation after being selected by President Donald Trump for the role, stressed to Netanyahu that the U.S. is "fully committed" to ensuring that Israel "has the capabilities it needs to defend itself," according to the statement.

Additionally, the defense official said that "both leaders agreed to remain in close contact."


Jan 27, 2025 10:30 AM

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended to Feb. 18

The White House announced Sunday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended until Feb.18.

Lebanon, Israel and the U.S. will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after Oct. 7, 2023.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie



Jan 26, 2025 10:25 PM

Hamas agrees to hostages release, civilians to return to northern Gaza

Hamas will free Israeli hostage Arbel Yehuda, a civilian, and two other hostages before next Friday, the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a post Sunday on X.

Hamas will then hand over three other hostages next Saturday “in accordance with the agreement,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

In exchange, Israeli authorities will allow displaced people in the Gaza Strip to return to “northern areas” of Gaza Monday morning, the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the updated agreement, stating Yehuda, an Israeli soldier Agam Berger, and another unnamed hostage will be released Thursday, a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

“Israel received from Hamas a list containing the status of all the hostages who are to be released in Phase A,” Netanyahu’s office said in the statement.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy, Nasser Atta and Anna Burd


Jan 20, 2025 9:47 AM

Released Palestinian prisoners arrive in the West Bank amid high tensions

Tensions were high as people waited in Beitunia, in the West Bank, for the arrival of the 90 Palestinian prisoners who were released from Israeli custody just after 1 a.m. local time.

Israeli forces used cars and tear gas to attempt to clear the roads, ABC News reporters on the scene said.

ABC News' team saw flash bangs where people were gathered waiting for the prisoners’ release.

Israeli Police did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment on the matter.

PHOTO: Freed Palestinian prisoners ride in a bus after their release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap between Hamas and Israel, outside the Israeli military prison, Ofer, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jan. 20, 2025.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
Freed Palestinian prisoners ride in a bus after their release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap between Hamas and Israel, outside the Israeli military prison, Ofer, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jan. 20, 2025.
Ammar Awad/Reuters

The prisoners were released from Ofer Prison in Ramallah, West Bank, as a part of the hostage exchange and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

People were seen on top of the buses waving flags and chanting as the prisoners arrived in Beitunia at approximately 1:42 a.m.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman, as well as Tom Soufi Burridge and Hugo Leenhardt in the West Bank


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