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Occupied West Bank
The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Palestinian Authority has condemned Sunday's “brutal” destruction by the Israeli army of buildings in the north of the occupied West Bank, particularly in the town of Jenin, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups.
In a statement, it condemned “the bomb attacks committed by the Israeli occupation forces,” in particular the decision to “blow up large areas of the Jenin camp, in a brutal scene that reflects the scale of the destruction to which the Gaza Strip has been subjected.”
Southern Lebanon
- The Israeli army carried out an explosion on the southern outskirts of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun), according to our correspondent.
- The Civil Defense announced in a press release that five bodies had been found under the rubble in Deir Serian (Marjayoun). The bodies were taken to Ragheb Harb Hospital.
⚡Lebanon
Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem has announced that Hassan Nasrallah, the party's former leader killed on Sept. 27 by an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, will be buried on Sunday, Feb. 23 “in a plot between the old and new roads leading to the airport,” in a “popular funeral.”
The funeral will also pay tribute to Hachem Safieddine, former chairman of the party's executive council and Nasrallah's intended successor, whose death was made official on Oct. 23 after being the target of a massive air strike on the night of Oct. 3 to 4. Safieddine will be buried in his native village of Deir Kanoun al-Nahr, in the Sour district of southern Lebanon.
⚡Lebanon
Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem has announced that Hassan Nasrallah's funeral will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23.
Occupied West Bank
The Israeli army said it had killed more than 50 “terrorists” in the north of the occupied West Bank, 35 of them in a vast military operation targeting the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements.
“Forces eliminated more than 35 terrorists and apprehended more than 100 wanted persons,” in an operation launched on Jan. 21, the army said in a statement. “In a previous operation, more than 15 terrorists were eliminated in air strikes.” An army spokesman told AFP that this total included operations since Jan. 14.
⚡ South Lebanon
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened Hezbollah and its new leader with reprisals if the Shiite party's drones are again launched in the direction of Israel. These remarks were made during a tour by the minister of positions occupied by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, reports the Times of Israel news site.
“In recent days, we have witnessed attempts to launch drones into Israel,” Katz said. “I want to send a clear message to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government: Israel will not allow drones to be launched from Lebanon. We will not allow a return to October 7 [2023]. We will thwart threats and respond with all the force necessary,” he said.
“No drones or there will be no more Hezbollah. I suggest that Hassan Nasrallah's successor does not underestimate Israel's determination, as his predecessors did, or he will pay a very heavy price,” added Israel Katz.
Syria
Syria's interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa hailed Riyadh's “real willingness” to “support Syria in building its future,” during a trip to Saudi Arabia, his first official visit abroad.
“We discussed vast projects for the future, in the fields of energy, technology, education and health, to arrive together at a true partnership aimed at preserving peace and stability throughout the region, and improving the economic reality of the Syrian people,” Sharaa said in a statement issued by the Syrian presidency, following his talks with the Saudi leaders.
The deputy head of Hamas' political wing will lead a delegation to Moscow tomorrow, state news agency RIA said on Sunday, citing a source, Reuters reported.
Hamas political bureau member Moussa Abu Marzouk and his delegation will hold negotiations at the Russian Foreign Ministry, the delegation's source told RIA.
The Israeli army announced that it had destroyed "several buildings" in Jenin, in the north of the occupied West Bank, causing huge black smoke above the city, according to an AFP journalist.
"As part of the counter-terrorism operation ... the Israeli army recently destroyed several buildings in Jenin that were used as terrorist infrastructure," said the army, which has been conducting a new military operation in this region, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups, since the night of Saturday to Sunday.
The family of freed hostage Keith Siegel wanted to make it known that he was forced to write a detailed thank-you letter to his Hamas captors, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement, Haaretz reported.
"This is one example among many of the cruel and cynical conduct of the Hamas terrorist organization and the urgency of returning all hostages to Israel," the statement read.
The Israeli army announced that it had attacked several buildings used as "terrorist" infrastructure in Jenin, Haaretz reported. This morning, the Israeli army and the Shin Bet announced that the air force attacked three "terrorist" cells in the Jenin area on Saturday, as part of the "Iron Wall" operation that began about two weeks ago.
A small Israeli drone again launched two sound grenades near Lebanese army soldiers and residents present at the entrance to the village of Yaroun (Bint Jbeil), according to L'Orient Today's correspondent.
Earlier in the day, Israeli drones had already launched five grenades into the same village.
A criminal investigation has been opened against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara, according to a statement from the Israeli State Prosecutor's Office, released by Labor MK Naama Lazimi, Haaretz reports.
In late December, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara informed police that Sara was to be investigated for "witness harassment and obstruction of justice. "
The move came a week after a report by Israeli media outlet Channel 12's investigative news program "Uvda" claimed that Sara Netanyahu had smeared and threatened Hadas Klein, a former personal assistant to two billionaires involved in the prime minister's corruption cases and a key witness for the prosecution, the outlet said.
The Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, claimed that an Israeli army drone attacked a "suspicious vehicle that was heading towards the northern Gaza Strip from the center without crossing the agreed inspection route, thus violating the agreement," adding that it used "precision munitions and reconnaissance."
"The defense forces once again call on the residents of Gaza to obey their instructions and not to approach the forces deployed in the area," he said. An Israeli strike left at least four people injured, sources on the ground reported.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for the completion of the second phase of the hostage release deal during a meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, according to Haaretz.
Herzog congratulated Sangiampongsa on the release of five Thai citizens who were abducted in the Oct. 7 attack and said: "Our main goal is to complete the hostage release agreement. This means that the second phase should be implemented, and we are working on it, and we consider it a top priority. "
Israeli army forces opened fire on residents gathered near the western neighborhood of Houla (Marjayoun). Meanwhile, in Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil), the Lebanese army dismantled the barriers set up by the Israeli army to the west of the village. Residents began to enter the village by car.
Four Palestinians were injured in an Israeli attack on a car in a coastal area of the Gaza Strip, medical teams reported, cited by Reuters.
Turkey is ready to take in "some" Palestinians released by Israel under the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in Doha.
"Our president said that we are ready to host some of the released Palestinians with other countries in order to support the agreement. Turkey, along with other countries, will do its part in this regard so that the ceasefire agreement can remain in force," Fidan said at a press conference in Doha.
The latest developments in south Lebanon:
- In Kfar Kila (Marjayoun): Residents gathered at the Deir Mimas crossroads, near the town.
- Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil): The number of participants in the rally increased slightly. The Israeli army shot in the air to scare them.
- Yaroun (Bint Jbeil): An Israeli drone launched five sound grenades at the sand barrier north of the village between 10:45 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. The Israeli army also opened fire on residents without causing any injuries so far.
- Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil): The inhabitants who entered the village performed the midday prayer in the village square.
Israeli warplanes are flying over south Lebanon, L'Orient Today's correspondent reported.

(Credit: Hezbollah Press Office)
Hezbollah held the funeral of Wissam al-Bourji, killed in an Israeli airstrike on the village of Janta on Friday, in his native town of Ali al-Nahri (Zahleh), according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the Bekaa.
At the funeral, Hezbollah MP Rami Abu Hamdan called on all officials to "reaffirm Lebanon's official position on Israeli violations and aggression ... Today, in Lebanon, the axis of resistance is being targeted, which is why we must show solidarity."
Tensions are still palpable in Yaroun where the Israeli army launched a new stun grenade towards the residents gathered there, near a sand barrier, reports L'Orient Today's correspondent. It also shot in their direction.
Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in Saudi Arabia on his first foreign visit since taking power in Syria after toppling Bashar al-Assad.
Accompanied by his foreign minister, Assaad al-Shaibani, Sharaa was greeted by Saudi officials as he got off the plane, according to images broadcast by Saudi state television Al-Ekhbariya. The television said he was expected to meet the crown prince and de facto ruler of the kingdom, Mohammad bin Salman, but did not specify when.
Turkey said it had killed 23 Kurdish militants in northern Syria, in a series of strikes against them that have continued since U.S. President Donald Trump took office last month, Reuters reports.
The Turkish Defense Ministry said the militants belonged to the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia and the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which is banned by Ankara.
Turkey views the PKK and YPG as the same, while the United States considers them separate groups, having banned the PKK as terrorists but recruited the YPG as its main ally in Syria in its campaign against the Islamic State. Turkey has long called on Washington to withdraw its support for the YPG, expressing hope that Trump will review the policy of the previous administration of President Joe Biden.
The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, issued a warning to the residents of south Lebanon this morning, as he does regularly. The Israeli army "has redeployed to different locations in south Lebanon, in accordance with the cease-fire agreement and in order to allow the Lebanese army to deploy gradually," he said in a post on X.
"Some areas require a delay in the withdrawal and more time in order to ensure that Hezbollah cannot rebuild its strength on the ground ... We ask you to wait, not to allow Hezbollah to return and exploit you to camouflage itself," the spokesperson added, stating that this warning remains "until further notice."
A 73-year-old man was reportedly shot dead by the Israeli army at the entrance to the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the West Bank Health Ministry reported, cited by Haaretz.
Israeli forces on board a boat intercepted a Lebanese fishing boat off the coast of Ras Naqoura (Sour) and detained two fishermen on board, Naqoura Municipality Chairman Abbas Awada confirmed to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.
The Israeli army then released one of them who returned to port on board the fishing boat, while a man identified as M.H. remains in Israeli custody. Awada added that " the Lebanese army was following up on the matter and making the necessary contacts to free him."
In addition, in Yaroun (Bint Jbeil), a small Israeli drone launched a sound grenade at a sand barrier near a gathering of village residents.
Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem will speak today at 6:30 p.m., in an announcement made by the party in a statement. He will address "the latest developments in south Lebanon and the funeral of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah."
The former Hezbollah leader was killed on Sept. 27 in extremely heavy Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. The party previously said that "a large funeral" would be organized in his honor, but without specifying their exact date.
Residents of Aitaroun started entering the village on foot, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region reported. In addition, residents indicate that a Lebanese fisherman was captured by Israel at sea, off the coast of Ras Naqoura, but this has not been confirmed at this time.
The Israeli military said that Operation Iron Wall, which began about two weeks ago in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, has expanded to the town of Tamun, north of Nablus, where "10 terrorists" were killed in an airstrike last week, Haaretz reported, adding that the military has so far located a rifle and magazines of bullets.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. In a statement, he said that " we must strengthen our grip and sovereignty over the homeland regions of Judea and Samaria (the occupied West Bank)," Haaretz reported. He added: "The hundreds of warriors who gave their lives for victory in this war, the grieving families and the thousands of wounded IDF soldiers – all expect you to faithfully represent our position" to Mr. Trump.
Smotrich also said that in addition to " the decisive victory in Gaza, the destruction of Hamas and the return of all our hostages," measures must be taken against the Iranian regime and efforts must be made to strengthen the country's security in Syria and Lebanon. "It is from strength and power that peace is born, alliances are forged and Israel's position is strengthened," he said.
Israeli forces opened fire on residents and journalists in southern Lebanon, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.
A camera of the Al-Mayadeen TV channel was hit by a bullet at the northern entrance of the town of Yaroun (Bint Jbeil). The film crew was not injured. In addition, Israeli forces opened fire to prevent Yaroun residents from entering the village.
Meanwhile, residents began gathering at the entrances to the western neighborhoods of Mais al-Jabal and Houla and at the Deir Mimas (Marjayoun) junction. A statement published yesterday on social media called on residents of south Lebanon to "revolt against the enemy that occupies the border villages" today and to gather at the entrances to the occupied villages starting at 9 a.m.
In a statement relayed by L'Orient Today's correspondent, the municipality of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil) warned residents against any contact with objects left over from the war or unexploded munitions.
The municipality ordered residents not to "move or touch suspicious objects, toys or wires until they are inspected" and not to "attempt to remove a mine or shell until the competent authorities are present ... not to open a closed box or suspicious container, not to eat food from the remains of the [Israeli] enemy, not to touch materials that may be toxic or harmful without gloves," the statement continued.
Finally, the municipality called on residents to inform the Lebanese army if they found a suspicious object. The Lebanese army deployed yesterday in Aitaroun. However, residents were asked not to approach the area before receiving "official authorization" from the army.
The family of a person abducted by Israeli forces last Monday called on President Joseph Aoun and Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri to take steps to free him, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.
Last Monday, at 5:30 p.m., Israeli forces abducted Hassan Ahmad Hamoud, born in 1985 in the border village of Taybeh (Marjayoun), and burned his house.

(Photo sent by the Civil Defense to L'Orient Today's correspondent)
The remains of three people were recovered from under the rubble yesterday late afternoon, two in Khiam (Marjayoun) and one in Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil), according to a statement published by the Civil Defense and relayed by L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.
According to the statement, the bodies were transferred to the Marjayoun Governmental Hospital, where they "will undergo the necessary medical and legal examinations, including DNA tests, under the supervision of the competent authorities, to determine their identity."
Syria's transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa will travel to Saudi Arabia today, his first foreign trip since he seized power following a lightning advance by rebels that ousted Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, Syrian state news agency SANA reported, cited by Reuters.
Sharaa will be accompanied by the country's foreign minister, Assaad Hassan al-Shaibani.
A military operation is underway today in the northern occupied West Bank, witnesses told AFP, with the Israeli army reporting " a number of terrorists killed " yesterday in three separate air strikes.
Witnesses described to AFP the deployment of "vast occupation forces at dawn" in the governorate of Tubas. The army, for its part, said that it had killed yesterday two men released in November 2023 as part of the first cease-fire with Hamas.
The Palestinian Health Ministry announced yesterday the death of five people, including a teenager, in several Israeli strikes in the occupied West Bank, where Israel is currently conducting a large military operation called "Iron Wall."
Find the details here.
Released from captivity on Jan. 19, Israeli Doron Steinbrecher spoke out for the first time yesterday to say she would do "everything" to secure the release of all hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip.
"To the families whose loved ones are still in captivity, I want to tell you that you are not alone," she said in a recorded message, "I will do everything to make sure everyone returns home."
Read the full story here.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed a new chief of staff after the resignation of General Herzi Halevi, who had cited his "responsibility" for failing to prevent Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, his office said yesterday.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have agreed ... to appoint Major General Eyal Zamir as the next chief of staff," the statement said. General Zamir was previously the Defense Ministry's director-general.
Israel confirmed in a statement that indirect negotiations with Hamas on the second phase of their truce agreement will resume as planned tomorrow in Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, spoke yesterday and agreed that discussions would begin "when they meet in Washington on Monday," according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
The statement added that the American would then discuss the matter during the week with the Prime Minister of Qatar and senior Egyptian officials. Netanyahu flies to Washington on Monday, where he will become the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump since his inauguration.
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