Neighborhood in Jibsheet, Nabatieh, evacuated after suspicious threats | LIVE

Israeli army infiltration

According to local media, nine Israeli soldiers crossed the blue line and cut down trees in southern Lebanon. The presence of Lebanese Army soldiers forced the Israeli soldiers to withdraw from the border, reports claim. Contacted by L'Orient Today, the Lebanese Army spokesman said he had “no information.”

Over 50,887 Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza

In its latest official death toll, Gaza's Ministry of Health reported that at least 50,887 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the Israeli war on Oct. 7, 2023, with 115,875 injured.

The ministry added that over 10,000 others are still missing under the rubble.

Second bulldozer targeted by Israeli drone in Aita al-Shaab

An Israeli drone strike targeted a second bulldozer in the border village of Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil district) about an hour after another construction vehicle was hit twice by Israeli fire, L'Orient Today's correspondent reports. No casualties have been reported in either of the two attacks so far.

Sweep operation Hamames Hill

A sweep operation involving automatic weapons fire is underway from the Israeli site at Tallet al-Hamames, south of Khiam — one of five areas in southern Lebanon still occupied by the Israeli army — according to our correspondent. The sound of machine gun fire can be heard in neighboring villages.

Israeli General Staff formalizes dismissal of 1,000 reservists who signed letter criticizing resumption of Gaza war

The Israeli army command has announced the dismissal of almost a thousand air force reservists who signed an open letter calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the return of the hostages, reports Haaretz.

The letter accuses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing the war for “his own political and personal interests,” and that the offensive risks killing Israeli hostages in Gaza.

In addition, over 360 Israeli health professionals have signed another letter calling for an investigation into the murder of 15 Palestinian aid workers killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza two weeks ago, and for those responsible for the crime to be prosecuted.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza kills 19

Israeli airstrikes since Thursday morning have killed at least 19 Palestinians in Gaza, medical sources told Al Jazeera, with 11 casualties in Gaza City. An hour earlier, the Israeli military also shelled the town of Jabalia in northern Gaza.

The previous day, at least 45 people were killed in the enclave, including 35 in an airstrike on a building in the Shujaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.

This raises the death toll from Israeli military operations since the resumption of its offensive against Gaza on March 18, breaking the January cease-fire with Hamas, to at least 1,523 killed and 3,834 injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Israeli drone strike in Aita al-Shaab

An Israeli drone has targeted a bulldozer for the second consecutive time in the town of Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil district), according to our correspondent in South Lebanon.

South Lebanon

The rumor about the evacuation order for a neighborhood in Jebchit has not been commented on by UNIFIL, as the village is outside its jurisdiction. The Lebanese Army, on the other hand, stated it currently lacks sufficient information to comment on the matter.

South Lebanon

"The information that UNIFIL peacekeepers informed the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and advised residents of Aita al-Chaab (Bint Jbeil district) and other villages in South Lebanon to evacuate their homes is false and unfounded. UNIFIL continues to support LAF in their redeployment in southern Lebanon."

This statement, issued Thursday by UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti, was in response to rumors circulating earlier in the day in Aita al-Chaab, claiming that residents had been told to evacuate by UNIFIL due to Israeli military plans to target a specific site in the area. The rumor also mentioned that residents had taken precautions, but the village had not been evacuated.

The same rumor referred to a call to evacuate a building in the Samouka neighborhood of Jebshit, made from an African phone number, which led to the evacuation of the neighborhood and its public schools, according to our South Lebanon correspondent. When contacted, UNIFIL stated it could not comment as the area is outside its jurisdiction.

The Lebanese Army stated that it currently lacks sufficient information to comment on the matter.

Israeli shooting targets a car in Ghajar

Shots fired from the Israeli side of Ghajar, a village located on the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel, targeted a civilian car, according to reports from our correspondent. These shots did not cause any casualties.

French political class divided over recognition of Palestinian state

"Finally!" "Premature!" The French political class is split over President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France could recognize a Palestinian state "in June."

The President stated yesterday that this recognition could take place during a conference that France will co-chair with Saudi Arabia at the U.N. in New York. According to him, this event should also lead to the recognition of Israel by a number of countries.

France/Palestine

A potential recognition of the Palestinian state by France, which could occur in June according to President Emmanuel Macron, would be "a reward for terrorism," said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, as quoted by AFP.

"A 'unilateral recognition' of a fictional Palestinian state by any country, in the reality we all know, will be a reward for terrorism and a boost for Hamas," Saar said on the X social media platform Wednesday night. "Such actions will not bring peace, security, and stability to our region, but the opposite: they will only push them further away."

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the situation in the Middle East, where the South Lebanon continues to be bombarded daily by the Israeli military. We will also cover the situation in Yemen, Gaza, where Israel is intensifying its aerial and ground offensive, as well as in Israel, the occupied West Bank, and Syria.

Three killed in new US strikes on Sanaa

Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, reported three deaths in overnight U.S. airstrikes on the capital, Sanaa. "Three citizens were killed in the U.S. aggression on the Sabine neighborhood of the capital," said the rebel-run Saba news agency, citing the Houthi Health Ministry. The agency earlier reported a series of strikes targeting Sanaa and its surroundings. The island of Kamaran in the Red Sea was also targeted, according to the same source

US hits over 100 targets in Yemen since mid-March

Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen have been targeted by near-daily U.S. airstrikes since Washington launched a bombing campaign on March 15, aiming to stop rebels from threatening ships navigating vital international trade routes. According to a U.S. intelligence official, over 100 targets in Houthi-controlled regions have been struck since the campaign began. "We have destroyed command and control centers, weapon factories, and advanced weapon storage sites," the official added.

Turkey discusses with Israel to reduce Syria escalation risks

Turkey is holding technical talks with Israel to reduce the risks of escalation in Syria, without seeking to normalize relations, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced last night. Turkey is a key ally of the Syrian opposition coalition that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Israel, concerned about Turkey's growing influence in Syria, has carried out a series of airstrikes and incursions to push Syrian forces away from its northern border. Last week, the U.N. accused Israel of attempting to "destabilize" Syria after deadly strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded "the total demilitarization of southern Syria" in late February, insisting that he would not tolerate forces from the new government deploying south of Damascus. Turkey has several thousand soldiers deployed in Syria.

US and Saudis show unity on Yemen and Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Saudi counterpart last night, with both officials showing their alignment on Yemen and Gaza, according to Washington. Rubio specifically thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts to facilitate peace between Russia and Ukraine, boost economic and defense cooperation, eliminate the Houthi threat in the region, and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The two also discussed efforts to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and to work toward a sustainable cease-fire, with the goal of completely disarming Hamas and stripping it of power.

Trump deems military option against Iran 'absolutely' possible

Donald Trump stated last night that military action against Iran is "absolutely" possible and that there is "very little time" left to reach a nuclear agreement. "If force is necessary, we will use force," the U.S. president told reporters. "Israel will obviously be very involved, and it will be the leader," he added at the White House. This threat comes just days before talks scheduled for Saturday in Oman, with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi participating.