The situation in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire agreement that began on 27 November 2024, according to ACLED's Insights:

Despite a decrease in cross-border violence, Israel maintained its military presence in the region after 26 January 2025.

The IDF increased demolition activity, destroying 260+ properties, to dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure. However, the IDF did not finish its operations in all sectors and continued to focus on 14 eastern southern Lebanese villages.

The LAF was ready to move in but couldn't until the IDF withdrew. Israel's presence in the area, including the possible approval of five outposts, has raised concerns of further escalation and destabilisation of Lebanon.

Hezbollah is rebuilding its military and unlikely to provoke a direct confrontation. Israel's presence could lead to renewed violence.

Source: ACLED

Pro-Russian far-right Romanian presidential candidate Georgescu:

“Ukraine is a fictional state, and its division among neighboring countries is inevitable.”

“The world is changing, and so will borders. Where will we be when that happens? We have Northern Bukovina, Budjak, Northern Maramureș—right? Then there’s Transcarpathia, Hungarians, Lviv with Poland, and Little Russia…”

Palestinian PM Mohammad Mustafa to Bloomberg:

Palestinian government plans to rebuild Gaza with help from the US and Saudi Arabia.

Mohammad Mustafa:

There needs to be a Palestinian state in both the West Bank and Gaza run by the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas can exist as a cultural and political movement, but cannot rule Gaza or continue to be militarized.

Qatari Emir's convoy is in Damascus to meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame:

South Africa is pretending to be playing a peacemaker role in Eastern Congo.

South Africa dares even issue threats about what is likely to happen and so on.

Maybe they should have cleaned up the mess in Eastern Congo or fight back with those who tried to clean up the mess.

Ukrainian heavy drone from the 14th UAV Regiment was spotted carrying a FAB-250M-54 free-fall bomb and a 120mm mortar shell.

Reports claim it targeted the Druzhba oil pipeline station in Russia’s Bryansk region last night.

Salwan Momika was reportedly killed while live streaming on TikTok.

Chaotic scenes from the handover of Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis.

Clearer footage of the Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud being transferred to the Red Cross vehicle.

China is building a fusion research centre in Mianyang that could accelerate the development of nuclear weapons and energy production.

Satellite photos show a central chamber with laser capsules.A target capsule containing hydrogen isotopes will combine with powerful lasers to produce energy, said Decker Eveleth, a CNA Corp. researcher.

The facility's layout is similar to that of the $3.5 billion US National Ignition Facility (NIF).In 2022, it outperformed the lasers pumped to the target in energy production from a fusion reaction.

CNS expert Eveleth estimates the experimental hall at the Chinese facility is 50% larger than the one at NIF (currently the world's largest).

Source: Reuters

IDF:

Seven hostages, including one Israeli male and female hostage and five foreign nationals were handed over to the Red Cross.

Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff watching the handover of the Israeli hostages.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani will attend the international conference hosted by France on February 13 on Syria.

Source: Reuters

Bodies of more than 30 victims have been recovered from Washington plane crash site.

Source: NBC

Israeli leadership has instructed the prison administration to suspend the release of Palestinian prisoners today until further notice.

Source: Israeli Army Radio

Washington officials believe that there are no survivors of D.C. mid-air collision.

Footage of the five Thai hostages being transferred to Red Cross vehicles.

France has handed over its last base in Chad to the country's armed forces.

Source: AFP