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Here are the latest updates from the southern Lebanese-Israeli border:
- Hezbollah announced that it used Jihad missiles to attack the Israeli barracks at Yiftak, facing the Lebanese town of Blida (Marjayoun). The attack was in retaliation for the deadly Israeli attack on Safad al-Battikh.
- An Israeli drone struck Blida (Marjayoun). Rescue teams were dispatched to the scene, according to residents. No reports on casualties are yet available.
- An Israeli airstrike targeted a house in Tayr Harfa (Sour). No injuries have yet been reported.
- An Israeli airstrike targeted Mais al-Jabal (Marjeyoun), but the missile did not explode, according to residents.
The European Union said it "firmly condemns" the "indiscriminate" drone attack carried out on Israel's Tel Aviv by Yemen's Houthi rebels, said a spokeswoman for European diplomatic chief Josep Borrell cited by AFP.
"International Humanitarian Law strictly prohibits indiscriminate shelling of civilian population centers and applies to all actors at all times without exception," said the spokeswoman Nabila Massrali in a statement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned today Yemen's Huthi rebels drone strike on Tel Aviv that left one person dead, expressing concern over a possible further escalation, according to a spokesman cited by AFP.
"The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the risk such dangerous acts pose for further escalation in the region," said Farhan Haq, adding a call for "maximum restraint."
Israeli artillery targeted Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil) in southern Lebanon, residents report to our correspondent.
Latest developments in the South Lebanon-Israel border:
- Hezbollah announced an artillery strike on Israeli artillery positions near Ein Ya'akov in northern Israel, facing the Lebanese village of Yarin.
- An Israeli drone attacked the outskirts of a neighborhood in Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil), according to residents.
- Hezbollah announced another attack against the Israeli position of Malkiya, opposite Aitaroun, using artillery ammunition at 6.50 pm

(Credit: Muntasser Abdallah/LOrient Today)
- A symbolic mobilization took place in Saida, South Lebanon, organized by the Jamaa Islamiya and Hamas, “in support of the al-Aqsa Flood fighters” against Israel in Gaza, reported our correspondent.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that a cease-fire deal in Gaza was within sight, saying negotiators were "driving toward the goal line," reported Reuters.
"There remain some issues that need to be resolved, that need to be negotiated. We're in the midst of doing exactly that," Blinken told the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.
"I believe we're inside the 10-yard line and driving toward the goal line" on an "agreement that would produce a cease-fire, get the hostages home, and put us on a better track to trying to build lasting peace and stability," Blinken said at a forum in Colorado.
Here are the latest developments from the South Lebanon-Israeli border:
- Hezbollah claimed responsibility for two missile attacks at 5:23 PM and 5:55 PM targeting Israeli positions in the disputed areas of the Shebaa Farms and Kfar Shuba Hills, which the party considers Lebanese territory.
- The Israeli army shelled the outskirts of Rashaya al-Foukhar village (Hasbaya), according to residents who spoke to our correspondent.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the UN International Court of Justice's ruling that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967 was "illegal," calling it a "misleading decision."
"Jews are not occupiers on their own land," Netanyahu stated in a reaction issued by the Prime Minister's office. "No decision in The Hague can distort historical truth," he added, asserting that "the legality of Israeli settlements cannot be disputed."
The Arabic spokesperson for the Israeli Army, Avichay Adrae announced on X that the Israeli airstrikes targeted a Hezbollah weapons depot and a rocket launch site from which rockets were fired toward the Abirim area earlier today in Blida and Houla (Marjayoun district). Throughout the day, Israeli army artillery shelled areas in Shebaa, Kfar Kila, Ramyeh, Dhahira, and Yaroun in southern Lebanon, Avichay added.
He also claimed that approximately 65 rockets were launched from Lebanon, with a portion intercepted by air defenses while the rest landed in open areas.
Hezbollah earlier claimed responsibility for the attacks on three settlements in northern Israel: Abirim, Neve Ziv, and Manot. These areas were targeted for the first time with dozens of Katyusha rockets. Hezbollah specified that the attacks were in retaliation for aggressions that affected civilians in Safad al-Battikh, Majdal Selm, and Shaqra, resulting in two deaths and several injuries.
Here are the latest developments from the Lebanese-Israeli border:
- Israeli artillery shelling targeted the outskirts of the villages of Houla, Markaba, and northeast of Mais al-Jabal — all in the Marjayoun district, residents of the villages told L'Orient Today.
- Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an attack on “buildings used by enemy soldiers” in Manara, northern Israel, opposite the Lebanese village of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun). The party added that the attack was in response to an Israeli “aggression” on Houla and Blida.
- Hezbollah announced that it conducted two other attacks: one on the Israeli site of Marj, using artillery shells, at 4:10 p.m. and another targeted "a technical system" at the Israeli side of Abad with exploding drones, resulting in its "destruction." Both Israeli sites face the Lebanese village of Houla.
- Israeli white phosphorus artillery shelled the Dabbake district of Mais el-Jabal (Marjayoun), resulting in fires, according to residents.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah, on Friday, affirmed that "the resistance in Lebanon will not hesitate to do everything necessary to defend its people and country in response to the ongoing aggression by the occupation army targeting southern villages and towns."
He added that in recent days, "the resistance has responded forcefully to enemy positions, including some targeted for the first time. The resistance remains committed to protecting its country regardless of the sacrifices, establishing new deterrents, and responding to new settlements if civilians are targeted."
Fadlallah emphasized that the resistance's continuous retaliation against the occupation army's attacks sends a clear message that threats against Lebanon and increased rhetoric cannot weaken the resistance. Instead, "it demonstrates a greater determination to confront the enemy and uphold its legitimate right to defend its country, exerting all possible pressure to compel the enemy to cease its aggression against Gaza," he said.
⚡ The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said on Friday that Israel's settlement policies and exploitation of natural resources in the Palestinian territories violate international law and are “de facto annexation” reported Reuters.

(Credit: Muntasser Abdallah/LOrient Today)
An Israeli attack earlier today on Houla (Marjayoun) in South Lebanon resulted in minor injuries to two Civil Defense rescue workers from the Islamic Health Committee, affiliated with Hezbollah, according to our correspondent in the region. Members of the al-Rissala Scouts, associated with the Amal movement, assisted in clearing debris following the airstrikes on Houla.
Israeli officials informed Israeli news outlet Ynet that they intend to respond to the Yemeni Houthi rebels' attack on Tel Aviv, adding that they would not rule out the possibility of retaliating on Yemeni soil, reported The Jerusalem Post.
The officials alleged that they believe the attack might have originally targeted the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, adding that "[the drone] did not fall there by chance. This was probably their destination."
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel's decision to reject the creation of a Palestinian state, calling it a "dangerous violation of international law," according to a statement from Bustros Palace.
On Wednesday night, the Israeli parliament passed a resolution opposing the creation of a Palestinian state, just days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit Washington.
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this resolution "highlights the international community's imperative to end the Israeli occupation and pursue a serious and effective political path towards a comprehensive and just solution for the Palestinian cause, based on the two-state solution."
Bustros Palace urged the international community and the UN to "fulfill their responsibilities by exerting pressure on Israel, which is obstructing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and undermining any prospect of regional stability."
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed "decisive" revenge for the drone attack claimed by Yemeni Houthi rebels that left one person dead overnight in Tel Aviv.
"As we have proven in the past, the defense and security system will make anyone who tries to harm Israel ... pay decisively and by surprise," Gallant said in a message on his X account.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for attacks on three settlements in northern Israel: Abirim, Neve Ziv and Manot, targeted for the first time, with dozens of Katyusha rockets. The party specified that the attacks were carried out in retaliation for aggressions that affected civilians in Safad el Battikh, Majdel Selm, and Chaqra, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries.
"The resistance promises its people that any aggression against civilians will be met with a response targeting new settlements," Hezbollah's statement added.
Hezbollah's statements typically contain information about the strikes carried out without threats like the one expressed in this afternoon's message. This warning echoes a recent speech by Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, who asserted last Wednesday that the party was ready to target new positions and localities. If you missed what came in his speech, press here. 👈
No cases of human paralysis caused by the polio virus have been detected so far in the Gaza Strip, the WHO said, after the virus was found in sewage samples.
Latest developments on the Lebanese-Israeli border:
- Hezbollah announced that it targeted, shortly after noon, "the enemy's artillery positions in Khirbet Ma'ar (opposite the Lebanese town of Boustan) and the deployment of its soldiers in the surrounding area with dozens of Katyusha and Falaq rockets." The party added that its fighters "have, for the first time, bombarded the Neve Ziv settlement (opposite Alma el-Chaab), with a salvo of Katyusha rockets," in response to the previous day's strikes on Jmaijmeh, Majdel Slim and Shaqra.
- Israeli fighter jets bombed Houla (Marjayoun) twice, local residents report.
- Israeli drones, followed by Israeli aircraft, targeted a house in Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil), according to residents. The second strike caused fires. No casualties were reported.
Hezbollah announced that it attacked the Israeli barracks of "Ramim" opposite the Lebanese village of Houla (Marjayoun) with a Burkan missile. It also announced that it had attacked the Israeli position of Metula, opposite the village of Kfar Kila (Marjayoun), at noon, with artillery fire.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the lifting of the U.K.'s suspension of aid to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), AFP reports.
"We are canceling the suspension of funding to UNRWA," decided after accusations of the possible involvement of some of its employees in the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, the head of British diplomacy told MPs, specifying that London would provide "21 million pounds sterling of new funds" (25 million euros).
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the White House sees "no signs of all-out war in northern Israel."
An Israeli military spokesperson said there were growing signs that Hamas's military leader had been killed in an Israeli strike, Reuters reported.
The Israeli army confirmed on Saturday that it had targeted Mohammad Deif in a strike on a displaced persons camp in the south of the Gaza Strip where more than 90 people were killed. The following day, a senior Hamas official told AFP that Mohammad Deif was alive.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a strike in "response to Israeli aggression against civilians in Safad el-Battikh, Majdel Selm and Chaqra", carried out with "a salvo of Katyusha rockets" against Abirim. This village in northern Israel, struck for the first time by the party, is located about eight kilometers from the border and faces the Lebanese town of Marwahin (Sour).
A second attack was carried out by Hezbollah against the site of "Roueissat al-Alam," in the disputed Kfar Shouba heights, using a new type of heavy-caliber rockets "produced by the Islamic resistance." This strike "partially destroyed" the targeted position and caused a fire, according to the statement.
The Resistance Brigades announced an attack carried out in the morning against the Israeli site of "Raheb," located opposite the Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil). The strike was carried out, according to the published statement, using "guided missiles and artillery fire."
This strike by the Resistance Brigades is the second claimed by this group in two weeks. Their first strike, since their entry into the field announced at the end of October, was carried out last Friday.
Residents report Israeli artillery fire on the town of Houla (Marjayoun). In addition, six shells hit the surroundings of Kfar Hammam (Hasbaya).
One person was killed before dawn by an explosion in central Tel Aviv, in an airstrike that was claimed by Yemeni Houthi rebels.
Commenting on the incident, the Israeli military said the attack was carried out by a "very large drone" that was not intercepted due to "human error." The drone had been detected by the Israeli military but "human error" meant that the "interception and defense systems were not activated," the military official was quoted as saying by AFP.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that a polio virus had been detected in Gaza "in sewage" during tests conducted in coordination with UNICEF, suggesting "a real health disaster." The Israeli Health Ministry said that the presence of a poliovirus "type 2 has been detected in sewage samples" from Gaza.
The war has plunged the Palestinian territory into a humanitarian disaster with more than half of its 2.4 million people displaced and in dire need.
The NGO Oxfam has castigated "Israel's use of water as a weapon of war" and the Dutch peace-promoting NGO PAX has pointed out the health threat in a territory "drowned" under waste and rubble.
In Gaza yesterday, the Health Ministry reported at least 37 dead, mostly women and children, in the Israeli strikes.
"We watch our children die and we wake up and sleep in fear," lamented a Palestinian woman standing in the rubble of her home, who said she lost her daughter, grandchildren and son-in-law in the central Deir al-Balah area.
Artillery fire targeted the Khiam plain (Marjayoun) during the night, L'Orient Today's correspondent also reports
During the night, Hezbollah announced the death of two of its members: Ali Jaafar Maatouk, born in 1978, in Sir al-Gharbieh (Nabatieh) and Mohammad Hassan Moustapha, born in 1987, in Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil). Their deaths bring the number of Hezbollah members killed in Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon since Oct. 8 to 375.
Yesterday evening, a security source reported to L'Orient Today's correspondent in South Lebanon the death of Ali Jaafar Maatouk in the airstrike that targeted a building located between Majdel Selm and Safad al-Battikh (MArjayoun). It seems that Mohammad Hassan Moustapha was killed in the same strike.
The Israeli army claimed to have eliminated Jaafar Maatouk, described as "responsible for operations of the Radwan Force of Hezbollah and another commander who was with him," in a strike on "the headquarters of the force" in Jmaijmeh, a village located between Majdal Slim and Safad al-Battikh. In a message posted on X, the Arabic-language spokesperson of the Israeli army Avichay Adraee said that the commander killed with Jaafar Maatouk, whom he did not name, was in charge of "operations in the sector of Houjair, of the Radwan Force." "Other members of the force who were in the targeted building were eliminated," added Adraee.
In addition to the two Hezbollah members killed in the Israeli strike between Majdal Slim and Safad al-Battikh (Marjayoun), 19 civilians were injured, including six women and two children aged 11 and 12. Ten of the injured were treated and released from hospital, while nine are still being treated , according to medical and security sources.
Until late at night, rescue teams worked to recover the remains of the two Hezbollah members buried in the targeted building, whose three floors were destroyed. Last night, Hussein Fakih, head of the regional office of Civil Defense, told L' Orient Today that rescuers were searching the rubble because there could be four victims buried. It ultimately appears that the strike left only two dead.
Make sure to read the Morning Brief so you are caught up with what has been happening.
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