Israel kills two in two separate drone strikes on south Lebanon | LIVE

That concludes our live coverage of events for today, thanks for joining us. We'll be back tomorrow with more news updates and analysis. Goodnight!

HTS removed from US terrorism list

The United States announced it was revoking its designation as a "foreign terrorist organization" of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Reuters reports. The group, which led the coalition of rebel forces that overthrew the Assad regime in Syria, will be taken off the terrorism list effective tomorrow.

"In consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, I hereby revoke the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham [and other aliases] as a Foreign Terrorist Organization," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a memo. 

An armed coalition led by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa overthrew then-Syrian president Bashar al-Assad last year, ending half a century of brutal rule by the latter's family.

HTS severed al-Qaeda ties years ago and says it wants to build an inclusive and democratic Syria.

Read the full report here. 👈

A third Israeli drone strike has hit the southern Lebanese village of Aita al-Shaab, in Bint Jbeil district. Already this evening, two people have been killed in southern Lebanon by Israeli drone strikes, one in Sour district and the other also in Bint Jbeil district.

Second ship attacked in Red Sea, two injured, two missing

Two crew were injured and two others missing on a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier that was attacked by skiffs and drones 49 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's Red Sea port of Hodeida, British maritime security firm Ambrey announced, cited by Reuters.

Ambrey said the vessel’s engines had reportedly been disabled and it had started to drift. It did not identify the ship. A maritime security source told Reuters a vessel near Hodeida was under drone attack and had issued a mayday call.

Earlier in the day, Yemen’s Houthis said that the Magic Seas, a cargo ship they attacked with gunfire, rockets and explosive-laden remote-controlled boats, had sunk in the Red Sea, after their first known attack on the high seas this year.

Israeli drone strike on Beit Lif kills one

One person was killed in the Israeli drone strike on Bint Jbeil district's village of Beit Lif, in southern Lebanon. The attack targeted a man on a moped, who has been identified as Hadi Rameh, according to our correspondent.

Meningitis on the rise among children in Gaza

The World Health Organization and medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières are warning of increased cases of meningitis among Gaza's children, Reuters reports.

While there is typically a seasonal increase in viral meningitis between June and August in Gaza, the WHO is investigating the role of additional factors such as poor sanitation, limited access to healthcare, and disruption of routine vaccinations.

Doctors warn that vitamin deficiencies and weakened immunity — resulting from limited access to fresh vegetables and protein — are increasing children’s vulnerability. The destruction of the sewage system and dirty water is also causing meningitis to spread more easily.

The WHO has called for more antibiotics to be allowed into the enclave to treat patients. Israel has a complete monopoly over what enters the besieged territory.

Read the full report here. 👈

An Israeli drone has struck the village of Beit Lif, in southern Lebanon's Bint Jbeil district, twice.

Aid to Gaza 'main obstacle' in negotiations, but negotiators are 'serious' about reaching truce

Israel's refusal to allow the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza remains the main obstacle to progress in the cease-fire talks being held in Qatar, Palestinian sources told Reuters.

The two sources said mediators hosted one indirect round of negotiations between Hamas and Israeli officials earlier today, and talks were expected to resume in the evening.

A source from Hamas told the Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat that the current round of talks is "being conducted more seriously than previous rounds," and that a deal could be reached as early as this Thursday.

No breakthrough in first day of renewed cease-fire talks

Israel and Hamas did not achieve a breakthrough in their latest round of indirect talks in Doha for a Gaza cease-fire, a Palestinian official told AFP. 

"No breakthrough was achieved in the morning negotiation session, but the talks will continue, and Hamas hopes to reach an agreement," the official said.

Another Palestinian source close to the talks said the negotiations would resume later in the evening.

One killed in Israeli strike on van in Sour district

The Israeli army killed one person and injured several others in a drone strike on a van as it was driving near Deir Kifa, in Sour district, about half an hour ago.

Israel has killed at least 195 people in Lebanon since agreeing to a cease-fire with Hezbollah, via Lebanese authorities, in November 2024.

Israeli drone strike on van in Sour district

An Israeli drone fired on a vehicle in the Sour district village of Deir Kifa, injuring several people, according to our correspondent in the South. Ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

Houthis claim responsibility for yesterday's Red Sea attack

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for a rare attack on a vessel in the Red Sea yesterday in which two small boats, revealed in their statement to have been unmanned, approached a commercial ship and fired on it.

While the Houthis have been attacking Red Sea commercial shipping in solidarity with Palestinians for more than a year, most attacks have involved missiles fired from land.

Yesterday's incident resulted in several hours of an exchange of fire. The Greek-operated bulk carrier was hit by gunfire, drones and missiles. Its security team fired back, but its crew was eventually forced to abandon ship. They were rescued by a passing ship, maritime security firms said.

The Houthis announced having "targeted the Magic Seas ship... using two unmanned boats, five ballistic and cruise missiles, and three drones," military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

The FPM welcomes Barrack’s statements

The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), led by MP Gebran Bassil, welcomed the statements made by U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack, who said he was "satisfied and grateful" for Lebanon’s response to a U.S. roadmap that notably calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Read more here. 👈

Iran has 'no problem' resuming nuclear talks with the U.S., says President

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said his country has "no problem" resuming negotiations with the United States, despite U.S. airstrikes on several nuclear sites in Iran during the June war between the Islamic Republic and Israel, according to AFP.

"We see no problem in resuming negotiations," Pezeshkian told American host Tucker Carlson in an interview aired Monday, while also asking, "How can we trust the U.S. again?"

Iranian President Pezeshkian accuses Israel of attempting to assassinate him

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused Israel of orchestrating an assassination attempt against him, though he did not specify when it took place. The statement was made during an interview with American host Tucker Carlson, aired Monday, according to AFP.

"They tried, yes. They acted accordingly but they failed," Pezeshkian said. "I was in a meeting [...] they tried to bomb the area where we were holding the meeting," he added, asserting, "It was Israel," according to a translation of his remarks provided by an interpreter.

GHF proposes setting up ‘humanitarian transit zones’ to remove Palestinians from Gaza

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has proposed establishing camps—referred to as “humanitarian transit zones”—inside, and possibly outside, the Gaza Strip to accommodate forcibly displaced Palestinians, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.

This plan, valued at $2 billion, was drafted after February 11 on behalf of the foundation, which is reportedly backed by the United States and Israel. Its stated aim is to “replace Hamas’s control over Gaza’s population” and has recently been submitted to the Trump administration and discussed at the White House, according to a source familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.

The document describes these zones as “large-scale” and “voluntary” structures intended to temporarily host Gazans in order to “deradicalize, reintegrate, and prepare them for eventual relocation, if they choose to do so.”

Food distributions run by GHF have reportedly led to daily killings of aid-seeking Palestinians. At least 750 people have been killed near these GHF-run aid centers—either by Israeli soldiers or American mercenaries.

State weapons monopoly: Lebanese Forces may leave government

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Okais said in an interview with “Radio Liban Libre” that the party is considering leaving the government due to how Lebanese leaders are handling the issue of restoring the state's monopoly on weapons.

"We are part of the government based on its ministerial statement. If government action no longer reflects the goals of that statement, we may reconsider our position. We will not play the role of passive observers," he said.

"For now, we are waiting to see how the state will act on the weapons issue before drawing conclusions. It’s possible we may decide to withdraw from the government and revoke our confidence if it fails to turn its statement into action," he added.

Head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, said that "the response being delivered today by the three presidents — President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri — to the U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is neither constitutional, nor legal, nor even official."

His statement was released after President Aoun had already announced that he had handed over "Lebanon's response" to the envoy, who began his visit with a stop in Baabda.

“The fate and future of the Lebanese people are being decided right now,” said the head of the Christian Lebanese Forces party, known for his firm opposition to Hezbollah. “The slightest mistake or negligence by one of the country's top leaders could drag Lebanon into the abyss or, at best, condemn it to paralysis, deadlock, and gradual decline."

"With its bluster, Hezbollah has already cost the country and its people dearly over the past thirty years—especially in the past two. Today, it seems determined to inflict even more losses, paralysis, and missed opportunities,” he added.

“While Hezbollah’s position may be explained by rigid ideological foundations and well-known external ties, there is no justification for the current stance of the Lebanese authorities.”

(Credit: Office of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.)

After his stop in Baabda, Tom Barrack headed to Ain al-Tineh for a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, which lasted “more than an hour and focused on developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as recent political and on-the-ground updates,” according to Berri’s office. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson was also present.

Speaker Berri described the meeting as “good and constructive,” emphasizing that it was held with a strong concern for safeguarding Lebanon’s interests, sovereignty, the concerns of all Lebanese, and the demands of Hezbollah.

Gaza: At least 105 Palestinians killed by Israeli army in the past 24 hours

Gaza’s Health Ministry announced Monday that at least 105 people have been killed and around 356 injured in Israeli attacks across the Palestinian enclave over the past 24 hours.

According to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera, at least 24 of those fatalities occurred since dawn on Monday.

Three of the victims were shot dead by Israeli soldiers during an aid distribution near Rafah, in southern Gaza, which also left around 40 people wounded, according to Gaza’s emergency services.

Since the start of Israel’s offensive on the besieged territory in October 2023, at least 57,523 Palestinians have been killed and 136,617 injured, the ministry said. These figures do not include more than 10,000 people still missing under the rubble.

Hezbollah condemns Israeli strikes on Yemen

Hezbollah strongly condemned Monday’s early morning Israeli airstrikes on multiple sites in western Yemen, calling them an “unjust Zionist aggression” targeting “the ports and vital infrastructure of dear Yemen.”

In a statement, Hezbollah said the attack would only strengthen the resolve of the Yemeni rebels to continue their hostile actions against Israel, carried out “in solidarity” with Palestinians in Gaza.

“The enemy mistakenly believes that such an attack could deter Yemen or make it abandon its honorable stance in support of Gaza,” the statement added.

According to Al-Masirah TV, which is controlled by the Houthis, the Israeli strikes targeted the port of Hodeida, as well as the Ras Issa and Salif facilities and the Ras al-Kathib power plant.

Israeli drones are flying over Beirut at low altitude.

Around 20 Palestinians killed by Israeli army in Gaza since this morning

Israeli airstrikes continue to pound the Gaza Strip as cease-fire negotiations are underway in Doha and Washington.

According to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera, at least 20 Palestinians have been killed since Monday morning. Three of them were shot dead by Israeli forces during an aid distribution near Rafah in southern Gaza, which also left around 40 others injured, according to local emergency services.

“Israel does not want war with Lebanon, nor to occupy it,” said U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, as Lebanese authorities continue to demand Israel’s withdrawal from five strategic points in South Lebanon where its forces remain deployed. “I am certain Israel wants peace with Lebanon, but the path to achieve it is challenging,” he added.

According to multiple media outlets, Tom Barrack said he was “satisfied and grateful for the Lebanese response. I received it 45 minutes ago, it is a thoughtful response. We are developing a plan to move forward, and I feel very hopeful.”

Following his meeting in Baabda, Barrack stated that Lebanon is under “no deadline” from the United States regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament, but that Washington is “only trying to help,” according to reports from several media sources. During his last visit to Beirut, the U.S. envoy had suggested disarmament should be completed by November.

Syria arrests individuals linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

The Syrian Interior Ministry announced the arrest of individuals "linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard" during a large-scale security operation in the city of Boukamal and surrounding areas, according to a statement reported by several Lebanese media outlets.

'No Progress' in first round of Israel-Hamas talks, says Qatari media

The first round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, held Sunday night in Doha, ended without progress, according to the Qatari daily Al-Araby.

Hamas reportedly insisted on including its proposed amendments to the draft agreement. A second round of talks is expected to begin later Monday.

However, a Palestinian source familiar with the talks said, "The real negotiations are happening in Washington, not in Doha."

Houthis claim drone and missile attack on Israeli sites

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that Houthi forces carried out an operation using 11 drones and a missile targeting Lod (Ben-Gurion) Airport and other sites, according to statements reported by multiple Arab media outlets and Haaretz.

He added: "We carried out a qualitative operation with 11 missiles and drones targeting Lod Airport, the port of Ashdod, the Ashkelon power plant, and the port of Umm al-Rashrash (the Arabic name for Eilat)."

The Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported that its editor-in-chief, Dr. Nasser Laham, was arrested by the Israeli army early this morning at his home in the West Bank.

Laham also heads the West Bank bureau of Al-Mayadeen, a Lebanese channel affiliated with Hezbollah. According to Ma'an, he was detained overnight by Israeli forces at his home in the village of al-Duheisha, near Bethlehem. The army reportedly caused damage to his residence during the arrest.

According to Haaretz, Laham is expected to appear before the Ofer military court on Thursday for a hearing on the extension of his detention. The Israeli army has not yet responded to a request for comment on the circumstances of the arrest.

The Israeli army dropped two incendiary bombs on a forest near the village of Shihine, in the Sour district, sparking a fire, according to our correspondent.

GHF food aid resumes in Gaza

The controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says it’s distributing food again at its sites in the Strip after the US and Israeli-backed group suspended operations on Sunday, claiming two US contractors were hurt in an attack at one of its sites.

“All we know from yesterday was that operations were suspended at four of its sites. And now, all of a sudden, there is a statement that appears on their website [that services have resumed],” Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said.

Mahmoud said most people here in Gaza are “off the grid, without reliable internet access”. “Relying solely on updates posted on a website is ineffective when social media is far more accessible,” he added.

At least 750 Palestinians have been killed by attacks targeting the aid distribution sites since May 27.

Gaza: Death toll rises to 15, including two killed during iid distribution in Rafah

Medical sources told Al Jazeera that overnight Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least 13 Palestinians and wounded many others.

In addition, Gaza emergency services reported that two more Palestinians were shot and killed during an aid distribution in northern Rafah, in the south of the enclave. Twenty others were injured, according to the same sources.

Since May 27, at least 750 Palestinians have been killed in attacks targeting aid distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Foreign Minister meeting rescheduled

The office of Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Raggi announced that his meeting with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is now scheduled for 3:15 p.m.

An Israeli drone dropped another sound bomb near a destroyed house on the outskirts of the village of Dhayra, in the Sour district.

An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade toward the town of Naqoura, south of Sour, according to our correspondent in South Lebanon.

According to the state-run National News Agency, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has landed in Beirut.

Israeli army claims arrest of Iran-linked cell in Syria

The Israeli army announced overnight the arrest of a cell allegedly operating on behalf of Iran's Quds Force during an operation in southern Syria.

According to Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee, soldiers from the Alexandroni Brigade (3rd Brigade) carried out the raid in the Tall Kodnah area, based on intelligence gathered by Unit 504.

“This is the second targeted night operation by this division in a week,” Adraee said, adding that several individuals deemed a regional threat were apprehended.

Barrack's visit schedule and U.S. pressure for Lebanese response

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is scheduled to meet:

— President Joseph Aoun at 11:00 a.m.

— Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at 12:00 p.m.

— Judge Nawaf Salam at 2:00 p.m.

— Foreign Minister Joe Raggi at 2:45 p.m.

In a statement to Al-Jadeed on Sunday, Edward Gabriel, president of the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), emphasized urgency, saying, “Time is running out for Lebanon,” and expressed hope that Barrack would receive a positive response today.

The ATFL is one of the leading U.S.-based lobbying organizations advocating for Lebanon.

Gaza:

At least nine Palestinians were killed and several others injured in overnight Israeli airstrikes targeting various neighborhoods in Gaza, according to hospital sources cited by Al Jazeera.

— Six people, including a child, died in a strike on a clinic in the Rimal district of Gaza City, where 37 people were killed the day before.

— Another strike on an apartment in Tel al-Hawa killed one person and wounded several.

— Two more Palestinians died in a separate strike on a house in Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza.

Hamas losing control in Gaza:

A senior Hamas security officer told the BBC anonymously that the group has lost around 80% of its control over Gaza, with armed clans now filling the vacuum.

Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of an anti-Hamas faction, confirmed in an interview broadcast by Israeli radio that he is cooperating with the Israeli army in southern Gaza.

Read more about the group here.

Israeli strikes on Yemen:

Houthi-controlled media report Israeli airstrikes overnight on Yemen’s Hodeida port and other rebel-held areas.

— Al-Masirah TV said the strikes hit ports in Ras Issa and Salif, as well as the Ras al-Kathib power station.

— Israel’s military confirmed targeting Hodeida, Ras Kanatib power station, and the Galaxy Leader, a commercial ship seized by the Houthis in 2023.

— The Houthis claimed to have repelled the attack with anti-aircraft missiles.

— Israel also reported detecting two missiles launched from Yemen early this morning, with interception attempts underway. Air raid sirens were triggered in parts of the West Bank and Dead Sea area, including Hebron and Ein Gedi.

Netanyahu lands in Washington:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in the U.S. and is expected to meet President Trump later today.

The U.S. State Department has kept Secretary Marco Rubio’s schedule vague for the week, releasing no official details other than that he will be in meetings at the State Department and White House. A meeting with Netanyahu is expected before Trump hosts him for dinner this evening.

Strikes in South Lebanon and Bekaa:

Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley Sunday night, just hours before the expected arrival of U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack for critical cease-fire talks.

— According to the Health Ministry and our South Lebanon correspondent Mountasser Abdallah, ten people were injured, including a young girl now in intensive care.

— Incidents reported overnight include:

• A drone dropped a stun grenade over Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil district).
• Israeli soldiers fired machine guns from Hammames hill toward Khiam (Marjayoun district).
• After midnight, Israeli bulldozers and Merkava tanks entered over 500 meters into Kfarkila, destroying already-damaged homes and clearing land.
• Israeli forces also advanced toward Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil district) from Khalleh Warda.

Tom Barrack’s schedule today in Beirut:

— 11:00 a.m.: Meeting with President Joseph Aoun

— 12:00 p.m.: Meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri

— 2:00 p.m.: Meeting with Nawaf Salam

— 2:45 p.m.: Meeting with Foreign Minister Joe Raggi

Stay with us for real-time updates throughout the day.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of developments across the Middle East — from ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza to South Lebanon, where at least 10 people were injured Sunday night, to tensions in Iran and fresh missile launches from Yemen.

Catch up on what happened yesterday and know what to look out for today by reading our Morning Brief.