Lebanon’s civil defence on Feb. 18 said that it recovered the bodies of 23 people from towns in its southern region following the withdrawal of Israeli forces under a ceasefire agreement, reports Anadolu Agency.
In a statement, the civil defence said its rescue teams, working in coordination with the Lebanese army, are conducting search and field assessment operations in areas affected by Israeli attacks.
The teams recovered 14 bodies in the town of Meiss El Jabal, three in Markaba, three in Kfarkela and three in Odaisseh, according to the statement.The bodies will undergo necessary medical and legal examinations, including DNA testing, under the supervision of relevant authorities to confirm their identities, it added.
Emergency teams also transported an injured person from Meiss El Jabal to Tebnin Governmental Hospital after he was shot by Israeli forces, though the timing of the injury was not specified.
Earlier Tuesday, Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported that the Israeli army had withdrawn from the villages and towns it occupied in southern Lebanon during the recent war. However, Israeli forces remain stationed at five points along the border inside Lebanese territory.
Israel was initially expected to complete its full withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, in line with the ceasefire agreement, but requested an extension until February 18.
Despite this, Israel has continued to delay its pullout.