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Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri condemned the Israeli attacks, stating that they "do not target a specific community or region, but all of Lebanon, its people, and Arabs and Muslims in their holiest places and religious practices on the eve of Eid al-Adha."
"Our fate, every Eid al-Adha, is to offer sacrifices in defense of Lebanon and its sovereignty," he added, affirming that "the aggression will not prevent us from celebrating our holidays."
Israel assured the White House that it would not carry out any attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities unless President Donald Trump considered that negotiations with Tehran had failed, according to two well-informed Israeli officials cited by Axios.
The media outlet explained that the Trump administration had recently become concerned by signs suggesting Israel was preparing a strike despite ongoing talks. President Trump stated that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against any premature action while negotiations were still underway.
A little over an hour after issuing its threats, the Israeli army carried out a strike in Ain Kana, in the Nabatieh district.
Lebanese Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar condemned in a statement "the criminal nature of the Israeli enemy and its ongoing aggression against Lebanon." He described the strikes as a "clear violation" of international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Haidar denounced "a new crime against innocent civilians" as well as "a deliberate attempt to spread terror and disrupt the celebration of Eid al-Adha." In this context, he urged the international community and the countries guaranteeing the cease-fire to "assume their responsibilities in the face of this series of repeated aggressions" and to "take concrete measures to deter the Israeli occupation."
The Jaafari Mufti, Sheikh Ahmad Kabalan, strongly condemned the Israeli strikes that took place "on the night of Eid al-Adha" in the southern suburbs of Beirut, describing them as a "clear extermination of national sovereignty" and a "blatant violation of the dignity of the state, its people, and its entire entity." In a statement, he denounced a "Zionist and American curse" which, in his view, "strikes at the heart of Lebanese decision-making and harms the honor of the entire country."
He continued, saying, "The response lies in national solidarity and reaffirming the choice of resistance and its sovereign project," adding that "there is no greater guarantee than the army, the resistance, and national unity."
He also criticized the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing it of being "drowned in partisan leanings," and stated that "Israel is an eternal tyranny" and "our choice is the sovereignty of Lebanon."
Washington has sanctioned four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), deeming their proceedings against Israel or American soldiers as "illegitimate," AFP reports.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has strongly condemned the repeated Israeli threats and attacks against Lebanon, especially targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut.
In a message on X, he stated that these actions "constitute a systematic and deliberate aggression against our country, its security, stability, and economy, particularly on the eve of the holidays and the tourist season."
He denounced these acts as a "blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701," calling on the international community to "take responsibility by deterring Israel from continuing its attacks" and compelling it to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory, where it still occupies several border positions.
Hamas has expressed readiness for new talks toward a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian movement is prepared to begin a new cycle of "serious" discussions to reach an agreement, said its chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayyeh, in a video message released in the evening.
Three missiles once again struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, causing a massive explosion heard throughout the capital and its surroundings. Local media estimate that the bombing targeted the Kafaat-Hadath area.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun strongly condemned the 'Israeli aggression' on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
He denounced it as a “blatant violation of an international cease-fire agreement,” brokered under the sponsorship of France and the United States, and a breach of “basic principles of law and humanitarian and U.N. resolutions, on the eve of a sacred religious holiday.” He described the strikes as “irrefutable proof of the aggressor’s rejection of stability, a resolution, and a just peace in the region.”
According to him, this is “a message that the perpetrator of these atrocities is sending primarily to the United States, its policies, and initiatives — using Beirut as a postbox and the blood of its innocent civilians,” affirming that Lebanon “will never yield” to pressure.
The office of the U.N. Coordinator in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plaschaert, condemned last night’s strikes, which “rekindled panic and fear on the eve of Eid al-Adha.” “We reiterate our call to halt any actions that could further undermine the ceasefire agreement and the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 [2006],” said a statement posted on Telegram. “Established mechanisms and diplomatic tools are available to all parties to address disputes or threats and to prevent any unnecessary and dangerous escalation,” the statement added.
An Israeli warplane has once again bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Israeli warplanes have once again bombed Beirut’s southern suburbs, with two explosions heard.
According to reports from various Lebanese media outlets, the Lebanese Army and its Commander-in-Chief Rodolphe Haykal attempted to dissuade the Israeli army from striking Beirut’s southern suburbs by offering to inspect the threatened sites, which Israel claims house “drone manufacturing facilities.”
However, the Israeli army reportedly rejected the proposal. L’Orient Today was not immediately able to confirm this information with the Lebanese military.
The Lebanese Army attempted to deter Israel from striking Beirut’s southern suburbs by inspecting the threatened sites, which the Israelis claim contain “drone manufacturing facilities.”
The Israeli army has issued a new evacuation call, this time in southern Lebanon, in Ain Qana, Nabatieh district. In a message posted on X, the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson urged residents to leave a building “located near Hezbollah facilities.”
A new strike targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs and was heard in the capital and surrounding areas. Another plume of smoke is rising over the targeted area.
The Israeli strikes carried out so far have targeted buildings near the al-Qaem Mosque, in the Jamous-Hadath neighborhood, according to the state run National News Agency (NNA).
⚡ After issuing evacuation orders, the Israeli army has begun strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, with two initial bombings, according to eyewitnesses who heard the explosions and Lebanese media reports. Thick black smoke has risen over the area.
The Israeli army has confirmed that it “struck terrorist targets belonging to Hezbollah’s Air Unit 127 in the southern suburbs of Beirut,” according to a statement from its Arabic-language spokesperson.
Eight warning strikes have so far been carried out by the Israeli army around the buildings it has threatened in Bourj al-Barajneh, Haret Hreik, and Hadath.
According to our correspondent in the South, the calls received by several individuals in southern Lebanon asking them to evacuate their homes were directed at people who also own property in Beirut’s southern suburbs. They were urged to leave those locations ahead of the strikes announced by the Israeli army.
Sirens sound in Jerusalem as Israeli army reports detection of missile launched from Yemen
The Israeli army launched two new warning strikes from drones targeting buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The blasts from the strikes were heard in the area.
Israeli drones carried out warning strikes over Beirut’s southern suburbs.
According to our correspondent in the South, residents of several villages in the region received calls urging them to evacuate before possible strikes. Such reports come notably from Harouf (Nabatieh district) and Zrariyeh (Saida), where those contacted left the area, although it has not been immediately confirmed whether the calls originated from the Israeli army.
Israeli calls to evacuate buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs spark panic, Israel says it aims to target “drone manufacturing workshops”
The principal of the Burj International College, a school in the southern suburbs, received a call from an Israeli number urging him to leave the premises and evacuate the school before a strike on the building, according to information obtained by L’Orient Today.
Heavy gunfire heard across the southern suburbs of Beirut, our correspondent reported.
In a new statement, the Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, announced that the strikes will target “underground infrastructures used for drone production.” According to him, Hezbollah’s Air Unit 127 uses these facilities to produce “several thousand drones funded by Iranian terrorist actors,” with the aim of developing these devices “in preparation for the next war against Israel.”
Traffic Jam in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs Following Israeli Evacuation Notices. (Credit: L'Orient Today.)
Israeli drones are flying over Beirut’s southern suburbs, while heavy gunfire is being heard to force residents to evacuate the threatened neighborhoods.
Israeli army orders evacuation of several neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern Suburbs
The Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, issued an “urgent alert” for people in the southern suburbs of Beirut, specifically in the neighborhoods of Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Bourj al-Barajneh. He accompanied his message with maps showing buildings targeted by the Israeli army, marked in red.
“You are located near facilities belonging to the terrorist party Hezbollah,” he wrote. “For your safety and that of your families, you must immediately evacuate these buildings and move at least 300 meters away.”
In Hadath, two targeted buildings are located between the Dani public school and Toulouse College. Three others are situated between the village of Kafaat and the Beirut Pilot High School.
n Haret Hreik, two targeted buildings lie between the Arts High School and the Sayyed al-Shouhada complex. Another building, on the other side of the complex in Bourj al-Barajneh, is also threatened.
An Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb in the town of Tallousseh (Marjayoun district), in the Douawir area near the public school. No injuries were reported, according to our correspondent in the South.
South Lebanon: Lebanese Army uncovers hidden spy device in Yaroun and continues clearing Israeli earthworks near Mais al-Jabal
The Lebanese Army has once again discovered a concealed espionage device equipped with a camera in the southern locality of Yaroun, according to a statement posted by the army on X (formerly Twitter). The device, found in recent days buried within earth mounds created by the Israeli army, was this time hidden inside a large rock.
"The Army Command reiterates its call for citizens to stay away from suspicious objects, avoid touching them, and report them immediately to the nearest military post to ensure their safety," the statement added.
The Army continues work to remove the earth embankment and fill the trench left by Israeli forces last night in the Kouroum al-Mrah area, east of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun district), our correspondent in the South reports. In this context, the mayor of Mais al-Jabal, Habib Qabalan, has been in contact with security forces regarding the matter.
Accused of supplying weapons to an Islamic State-affiliated group in Gaza, Netanyahu says that "Israel is working to defeat Hamas in various ways."
Israeli opposition lawmaker and former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday of supplying weapons to a Salafist group active in the Gaza Strip and affiliated with the Islamic State, in an interview with Kan Bet public radio, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
In response to these accusations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that "Israel is working to defeat Hamas in various ways, on the recommendation of all heads of the security apparatus," according to the left-wing newspaper.
Satellite images and videos published online in recent weeks show that a new armed Palestinian militia has expanded its presence in southern Gaza, operating inside an area under the direct control of the Israeli army, Haaretz reports. The group is reportedly led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a Rafah resident from a Bedouin family known locally for his criminal activities and for looting humanitarian aid late last year.
Ground incursion and artillery fire in Wazzani
Israeli army vehicles entered Lebanese territory near the orchards of Wazzani (Marjayoun) and temporarily deployed there, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent. Artillery fire also targeted the outskirts of the same village.
EU announces €175 million in aid to Syria
European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica announced a €175 million aid package for Syria, calling it "a clear message" of EU support in an interview with AFP in Damascus on Thursday. The European official specified that this aid, offered to Syrian officials the day before during talks, included the energy, education, health and agriculture sectors.
Hajjar-Lazaro meeting
Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Hajjar met the head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Aroldo Lázaro, at his office in Beirut. The two men highlighted the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon and the "close cooperation" between the U.N. force and the Lebanese government to implement Resolution 1701 "in its entirety," according to NNA.
Hajjar also stressed "Lebanon's desire to maximize cooperation, especially at this stage," as the state extended its authority south of the Litani River with the deployment of thousands of soldiers in an area previously largely controlled by Hezbollah.
Israeli drone strike on car in Qalawiah
A pickup truck was targeted by an Israeli drone strike in Qalawiah, near the village school, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent. The strike injured at least one person, whose condition was not immediately known.
Bodies of two hostages brought to Israel in special operation, Netanyahu announces
The bodies of two Israeli-American hostages kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Or during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, were returned to Israel in a special operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced.
"During a special operation by the Shin Bet (the internal security agency) and the army in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our hostages held by the murderous terrorist organization Hamas were brought to Israel: Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gad Haggai from Kibbutz Nir Oz, may their memory be blessed," he said in a statement. "Judy and Gad were murdered on October 7 and abducted to the Gaza Strip."
Good morning!
Thank you for joining us for our live coverage today. Be sure to check out the Morning Brief so you are caught up with what has been happening.
Israeli army destroys olive groves in south Lebanon
At around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, an Israeli infantry force entered Lebanese territory in the Kouroum al-Mrah area, east of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun), conducted searches near the barbed wire fence, and then withdrew from the area, according to local sources to L'Orient Today's correspondent.
Then, at around 11:50 p.m., another Israeli patrol with two bulldozers and two vehicles broke through the technical barrier in the Kouroum al-Sharaqi area, also east of Mais al-Jabal, and bulldozed olive groves and built a large trench and earth mound. The Lebanese Army deployed to the area. According to security sources, it is expected to soon backfill the work carried out by the Israeli army.
The Lebanese Army, in coordination with UNIFIL, is removing several earth embankments and reopening roads in the outskirts of the town of Odaisseh on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Credit: X/@lebarmyofficial)
While the Israeli army has repeatedly carried out land incursions into certain border areas over the past ten days, particularly in the Marjayoun district where it still holds two positions, it often leaves behind earthworks, which the Lebanese Army then removes to reopen the roads.
What are the objectives of these operations? Find out more here.
Aid workers report at least 10 killed in Israeli strikes
The Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip reported the deaths of at least 10 people in Israeli strikes on several locations in the Palestinian territory. The spokesperson for this rescue organization, Mahmoud Bassal, spoke of "10 martyrs so far, as a result of Israeli strikes" since midnight. A house in a neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, in the north of the territory, an area hosting displaced people in Khan Younis, in the south, and a house in Deir el-Balah, in the center, were targeted by the strikes, he told AFP.
Contacted by AFP for comment on this statement, the Israeli army did not immediately respond.
US announces the detention of an IS 'leader'
The United States announced yesterday, Wednesday, the detention of a "leader" of the Islamic State (IS) during operations carried out at the end of May in Iraq and Syria, as part of the international coalition against the jihadist group.
The U.S. military supported six operations, five in Iraq and one in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of two jihadists and the detention of two people, "including an ISIS leader" in Iraq, CENTCOM, the U.S. military command for the Middle East, said without specifying the latter's identity. These operations were carried out respectively by the United States' partners, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Iraqi army, it added on X.
IAEA chief in Damascus to discuss nuclear issues
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, discussed with Syrian leaders yesterday "the possibility of developing nuclear energy," during his first visit to Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Grossi, who met with President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani, "praised Sharaa's courage and his transparent cooperation in closing a chapter of Syria's past," in a message on X.
The IAEA and Syria will also "begin exploring the possibility of nuclear energy in Syria," he added. "Our cooperation is essential to resolve outstanding issues and focus on the much-needed assistance the IAEA can provide to Syria in the areas of health and agriculture."
All Captagon factories have been seized, according to the Interior Minister
Syria's Interior Minister announced yesterday that authorities had managed to seize all factories producing Captagon in the country in recent months, an illegal amphetamine-type stimulant that was the previous government's main export.
"We can say that there are no longer any factories currently producing Captagon in Syria," Khattab announced. He added that most of these factories, which numbered in the dozens, were "located mainly in rural Damascus and in large numbers on the Lebanese border, as well as in the coastal region ... mostly in areas previously controlled by the 4th Division," led by Maher al-Assad, the brother of ousted former president Bashar al-Assad.
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