An Israeli airstrike killed three Turkish citizens who attempted to cross illegally from Lebanon to Israel, Turkey 's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. "We condemn in the strongest terms this unlawful attack that resulted in the death of our citizens," the ministry said in a statement, without mentioning when the incident took place.

The Israeli government says its military will not withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday’s deadline, in violation of a deadline set in a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Israel might not withdraw all of its forces from Lebanon by a deadline set in its ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The government of Lebanon, the government of Israel and the government of the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after Oct. 7, 2023,” the

Israel and Hamas reached a deal to resolve a disagreement over the exchange of a female civilian hostage that had threatened to derail the truce. Lebanon, however, saw the deadliest day since Israel’s truce with Hezbollah took effect.

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said Monday that Israel should withdraw from the occupied border areas in southern Lebanon, rejecting the extension of the cease-fire arrangements to Feb. 18.

Lebanese officials say firing by Israeli troops has killed two people and wounded 17 in the second day of deadly protests in southern Lebanon

Israel said its forces will remain in southern Lebanon after UN and Lebanese forces moved too slowly under the truce with Hezbollah established in November, which remains unfulfilled.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to withdraw from southern Lebanon, but Israel says that Hezbollah hasn’t upheld its promise and that the Lebanese Army isn’t ready to fill the void.

The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began Jan. 19 after Hamas supplied a list of the hostages slated for return to Israel.