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

Israel, Lebanon and the U.S. are negotiating the release of Lebanese prisoners.

Last Updated: January 26, 2025, 7:39 PM EST

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.

Jan 26, 2025, 7:39 PM EST

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 26, 2025, 6:49 PM EST

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.

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 26, 2025, 5:25 PM EST

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, 5:24 PM EST

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

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