Israeli fire kills 2, wounds 32, on deadline for Lebanon withdrawal

Israeli troops fired at residents of south Lebanon on Sunday, killing two and wounding 32, health officials said, as hundreds of people tried to return to their homes on the deadline for Israeli forces to withdraw from the area.Israel was all but certain to miss Sunday’s deadline, which is part of a ceasefire agreement that ended its war with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group two months ago.The deal that took effect on November 27 said the Lebanese army was to deploy alongside United Nations peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period.That period ends on Sunday.Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli forces had opened fire in at least two border towns on “citizens who were trying to return to their villages”, killing two and wounding 32.The ministry had previously said the “aggression” had centred on the two villages of Houla and Kfar Kila.Earlier, Lebanon’s official National News Agency had reported that Israeli fire wounded several people in Kfar Kila “who crossed the barrier and checkpoint put in place by the occupation army”, referring to Israel.Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued a message earlier on Sunday to residents of more than 60 villages in southern Lebanon, including Kfar Kila and Houla, telling them not to return.AFP journalists said convoys of vehicles carrying hundreds of people were trying to return to several villages despite the military’s continued presence.AFPTV live images from Kfar Kila showed crowds gathered, some with yellow Hezbollah flags, near Lebanese security vehicles that blocked a road near a petrol station.Beyond them sat another military vehicle on an empty stretch of the road.On Saturday, the Lebanese army said a delay in implementing the agreement was the “result of the procrastination in the withdrawal from the Israeli enemy’s side”.Israeli forces have left coastal areas of southern Lebanon, but are still present in areas further east.The ceasefire deal stipulates that Hezbollah pull back its forces north of the Litani River — about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border — and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday that “the ceasefire agreement has not yet been fully enforced by the Lebanese state”, so the military’s withdrawal would continue beyond the Sunday deadline.”The withdrawal process is conditional upon the Lebanese army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, with Hezbollah withdrawing beyond the Litani River,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.It added that “the gradual withdrawal process will continue in full coordination with the United States”, a key ally and one of the monitors of the ceasefire.The Lebanese army said it was “ready to continue its deployment as soon as the Israeli enemy withdraws”.- ‘Scorched earth’ -Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayad said on Saturday that Israel’s “excuses” were a pretext to “pursue a scorched earth policy” in border areas that would make the return of displaced residents impossible.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who took office earlier this month, spoke on Saturday with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, whose government is also involved in overseeing the truce.According to a statement from his office, Aoun spoke of the “need to oblige Israel to respect the terms of the deal in order to maintain stability in the south”.Aoun also said Israel must “end its successive violations, including the destruction of border villages… which would prevent the return of residents”.Macron’s office, in its summary of the conversation, said the French president had called on all parties to the ceasefire to honour their commitments as soon as possible.On January 17, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for Israel to end its military operations and “occupation” in the south.The fragile ceasefire has generally held, even as the warring sides have repeatedly traded accusations of violating it.The Israeli military has continued to carry out frequent strikes that it says targeted Hezbollah fighters, and Lebanese state media has reported that Israeli forces were carrying out demolitions in villages they control.The November 27 deal ended two months of full-scale war that had followed months of low-intensity exchanges.Hezbollah began trading cross-border fire with the Israeli army the day after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by its Palestinian ally Hamas, which triggered the war in Gaza.Israel intensified its campaign against Hezbollah in September, launching a series of devastating blows against the group’s leadership and killing its longtime chief Hassan Nasrallah.Hezbollah warned on Thursday that “any violation of the 60-day deadline will be considered a flagrant violation” of the ceasefire agreement and “an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty”.The group refrained from any threat to resume attacks on Israel but said the Lebanese state should use “all means necessary… to restore the land and wrest it from the clutches of the occupation”.

India shows military might and diversity at Republic Day parade

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto looked on as guest of honour at India’s annual military and cultural parade in New Delhi held to mark the country’s 76th Republic Day on Sunday.Republic Day marks the adoption of India’s post-independence constitution in 1950 with the parade being held at a revamped colonial-era boulevard that also hosts important government buildings.”May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday on social media platform X.The annual show is a colourful and tightly choreographed spectacle featuring the country’s missile systems, fighter jet fly pasts, motorbike stunts and floats representing different Indian states.An Indonesian military marching contingent also took part in the celebrations.The event coincided with Prabowo’s two-day state visit to India, his first to the country since becoming president in 2024.Indonesia was the guest nation at India’s first Republic Day, Modi said Saturday, adding that it was a matter of “great pride” to have the country part of the parade again.India and Indonesia signed a series of agreements on cooperation on health, maritime security, digital technology with both leaders calling each other “brother”.”To increase cooperation in the defence sector, we have decided we would work together on defence manufacturing and supply chain,” Modi said in a joint press statement on Saturday. Prabowo said his administration would send “a high-level defence delegation” soon.India’s arms exports were worth $2.63 billion last year, a tiny amount compared to established players but a 30-fold increase over a decade.

Libération de détenus palestiniens: la joie contrariée d’une septuagénaire de Cisjordanie occupée

Depuis qu’elle a appris la sortie de trois de ses fils des prisons israéliennes, Latifa Abou Hamid est animée d’une “joie indescriptible”. Même s’ils ont été forcés à l’exil, comme des dizaines d’autres ex-détenus libérés samedi.Jusqu’à ce jour, cinq des dix enfants de cette habitante de Ramallah, en Cisjordanie, territoire palestinien occupé depuis 1967, étaient détenus par Israël.Trois viennent d’être libérés lors d’un nouvel échange, prévu par l’accord de trêve entre Israël et le Hamas, entre quatre soldates détenues dans la bande de Gaza, depuis l’attaque du mouvement islamiste palestinien le 7 octobre 2023 et 200 prisonniers palestiniens.”Je suis si heureuse, j’ai parlé avec eux. Ils étaient dans le Néguev, j’ai entendu leur voix”, souffle Mme Abou Hamid, 74 ans.Nasr, 50 ans, Sharif, 45 ans et Mohammed, 35 ans, ont été libérés de la prison de Kziot, dans ce désert du sud d’Israël. Mais comme 70 autres détenus relâchés, ils ont été bannis par Israël.Certains avaient indiqué envisager de s’installer au Qatar. En attendant, ils ont été remis à l’Egypte.”Bien sûr, je préférerais qu’ils vivent avec nous, qu’ils soient là pour qu’on puisse profiter d’eux ici. Mais grâce à Dieu, (leur exil) ne sera pas pour toujours”, espère leur mère. – “Jamais perdu espoir” -Son salon a des airs de musée, orné de grands portraits peints de chaque membre de la fratrie et de photomontages où Mme Abou Hamid, alias Oum Nasser, esquisse un “V” de la victoire au milieu de ses fils. Des certificats de détention sont exposés comme des diplômes.Elle-même porte une robe floquée des visages de ses fils accolés à une vue du dôme du Rocher, mosquée emblématique de Jérusalem.”Cela fait (plus de 40 ans) que je rends visite à mes fils en prison, soit plus de la moitié de ma vie et je n’ai jamais perdu espoir” de les voir libres, affirme-t-elle, malgré leurs condamnations à perpétuité. Avec la même peine, un autre de ses fils, Islam, 38 ans, ne figure lui pas sur la liste des prisonniers libérables par Israël dans le cadre de l’accord de trêve. Selon sa mère, il a tué d’un jet de pierre un soldat israélien lors d’un raid de l’armée dans le camp de réfugiés palestiniens d’al-Amari, près de Ramallah, où la famille vivait à l’époque.L’aîné, Nasser, était pour sa part un des fondateurs des Brigades des martyrs d’Al-Aqsa, groupe armé créé au cours de la Seconde Intifada (2000-2005). Il est mort d’un cancer en détention et Israël n’a jamais restitué son corps.Un autre membre de la fratrie, membre du Jihad islamique, a lui été tué par l’armée israélienne en 1994.- “Repos et stabilité” -Oum Nasser raconte que sa maison d’al-Amari a été détruite par l’armée, en vertu d’une politique de représailles visant les familles de Palestiniens auteurs d’attaques fatales à des Israéliens, régulièrement dénoncée par l’ONU et des organisations de défense des droits humains. “Nous avons traversé des jours extrêmement difficiles”, résume sa belle-fille Alaa Abou Hamid, l’épouse de Nasr. “Le moment est enfin venu de trouver le repos et de retrouver une stabilité familiale”.Sa belle-mère précise que trois de ses petits-enfants ne seront pas là pour la grande réunion familiale organisée en l’honneur des libérations. Ils sont eux aussi en détention.Il n’est pas rare que des familles palestiniennes comptent ainsi plusieurs détenus. D’autant que depuis le 7-Octobre, des milliers de personnes ont été arrêtées par Israël en Cisjordanie occupée, portant le nombre total des détenus palestiniens à plus de 10.000, selon les organisations les défendant.  La première phase de l’accord de trêve entre Israël et le Hamas prévoit la libération en six semaines de quelque 1.900 prisonniers palestiniens, dont plus de 230 condamnés à la prison à vie, en échange de 33 otages israéliens détenus à Gaza.Après la libération de trois de ses fils, Oum Nasser ne peut pas “savourer pleinement” son bonheur, “sachant qu’il reste d’autres prisonniers derrière les barreaux”. “Et même si Islam sort aussi, je ne serai pas heureuse tant que tous ne sont pas libérés”, affirme la septuagénaire.

Brathwaite half century lifts West Indies to 129-5 against Pakistan

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite hit a fighting half century Saturday to lead the West Indies to 129-5 at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan.The tourists negotiated Pakistan’s spin attack aggressively to take their slender nine-run first-innings lead to 138 at the break in their bid to pull off a series-levelling win.Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test by 127 runs, also in Multan.Left-arm spinner Noman Ali brought Pakistan back in the game with 4-59, trapping Alick Athanaze leg before for six on the cusp of lunch, while Justin Greaves was unbeaten on five.With the Multan Stadium pitch offering slow spin in comparison to day one, Brathwaite led the way with two sixes and four boundaries in his 31st Test half century.Noman broke the solid 50-run opening stand by dismissing Mikyle Louis for seven after the tourists started their second innings in the morning.Brathwaite overturned two leg before decisions against him before he was stumped by Mohammad Rizwan off Noman for a well-made 52.Debutant Amir Jangoo also batted well for his 30 with three boundaries, before Sajid Khan had him caught in the slips by Salman Agha.Kavem Hodge was stumped by Rizwan off Noman for 15 as the West Indies slumped from 92-1 to 129-5.

Brazil slams US after dozens of deportees arrive handcuffed

Brazil’s government expressed outrage on Saturday after dozens of immigrants deported from the United States arrived by plane in handcuffs, calling it a “flagrant disregard” for their rights.The foreign ministry said it would demand an explanation from Washington over the “degrading treatment of passengers on the flight”.The spat comes as Latin America grapples with US President Donald Trump’s return to power bringing a hard-line anti-immigration agenda, promising crackdowns on irregular migration and mass deportations.When the plane landed in the northern city of Manaus, Brazilian authorities ordered US officials to “immediately remove the handcuffs,” the justice ministry said in a statement.Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski told President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of “the flagrant disregard for the fundamental rights of Brazilian citizens,” the statement said.Brazil will request “explanations from the US government about the degrading treatment of passengers” on the Friday night flight, the foreign ministry said on X.The government said 88 Brazilians were aboard the aircraft.Edgar Da Silva Moura, a 31-year-old computer technician, was on the flight, after seven months in detention in the United States.”On the plane they didn’t give us water, we were tied hands and feet, they wouldn’t even let us go to the bathroom,” he told AFP.”It was very hot, some people fainted.”Luis Antonio Rodrigues Santos, a 21-year-old freelancer, recounted the “nightmare” of people with “respiratory problems” during “four hours without air conditioning” due to technical issues on the plane.”Things have already changed (with Trump), immigrants are treated as criminals,” he said.- Crackdown -The flight was originally destined for the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte, but encountered a technical issue forcing it to land in Manaus.A government source told AFP the deportation flight was not directly linked to any immigration orders issued by Trump upon taking office Monday, but rather stemmed from a 2017 bilateral agreement.Brazil’s Minister of Human Rights, Macae Evaristo, told journalists that “children with autism … who went through very serious experiences” were also on the flight.Footage on Brazilian television showed some passengers descending from the civilian aircraft, with their hands handcuffed and their ankles shackled.”Upon learning of the situation, President Lula ordered that a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aircraft be mobilized to transport the Brazilians to their final destination, in order to ensure that they could complete their journey with dignity and safety,” the justice ministry said.Trump promised a crackdown on illegal immigration during the election campaign and began his second term with a flurry of executive actions aimed at overhauling entry to the United States. On his first day in office he signed orders declaring a “national emergency” at the southern US border and announced the deployment of more troops to the area while vowing to deport “criminal aliens.”Several deportation flights since Monday have garnered public and media attention, though such actions were also common under previous US presidents.In a break with prior practice, however, the Trump administration has begun using military aircraft for repatriation flights, with at least one landing in Guatemala this week.The plane which landed in Manaus was not a military aircraft, AFP journalists in the city confirmed.A Brazilian government source said that the deportees who arrived in Manaus traveled “with their documents”, which shows that they agreed to return home.There are an estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security statistics.The United States also expelled 265 migrants to Guatemala on Friday.