Israeli troops fired on people trying to return home to southern Lebanon and delayed a return home for northern Gaza residents. Israel blamed Hezbollah and Hamas.

Any prolonged Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon could breathe new life into Hezbollah, a group that was founded to liberate Lebanon from Israeli occupation and has portrayed itself as the only force capable of protecting Lebanon’s borders,

The US and Lebanon say the ceasefire deal with Israel - which had been due to expire on Sunday - has been extended until mid-February. Israel had kept troops deployed in Lebanon beyond the initial deadline,