That concludes our live coverage for today. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more news updates and analysis. Thanks for joining us, goodnight.
Israeli drone strike kills one in Bekaa attack
The person wounded in an Israeli drone strike against their car as they were driving along the Baalbeck highway in the Bekaa has succumbed to their injuries, our correspondent in the region reports.
US to 'take over' aid provision in Gaza, citing Israeli inadequacy
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump discussed plans for Washington to significantly increase its role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, Axios reports, citing two U.S. officials and an Israeli official.
The report said the discussions took place in a meeting between Witkoff and Trump yesterday at the White House, adding Israel supported the increased U.S. role.
Axios cited a U.S. official as saying the Trump administration will "take over" management of the humanitarian effort in Gaza because Israel is not handling it adequately.
One person was injured in the Israeli drone attack against a car in the Bekaa Valley, our correspondent reports.
(Photo sent to L'Orient Today by residents)
An Israeli drone has bombed a car as it was driving along the Baalbeck highway, near Brital, our correspondent in the Bekaa, Sarah Abdallah, reports.
Hundreds protest at Israeli army Tel Aviv headquarters
Hundreds of Israeli protesters, led by families of hostages, are marching toward the Israeli army's headquarters in Tel Aviv, where a rally organized by the Shift 101 protest movement will be held on Kaplan Street, Haaretz reports.
"This is a silent and thunderous march; we have a very loud outcry," Vicky Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, said. "We lost this war, and as time goes by, our loss is greater. Enough of this. Listen to the will of the people: stop the war, bring Nimrod and all his loved ones back home."
Protests against Netanyahu's government's insistence on continuing its onslaught against Gaza have steadily gained momentum in Israel. Yeasterday's Knesset meeting opened with a discussion on increasing security for Netanyahu and his family, amid what officials described as escalating threats.
Netanyahu leaning toward complete Gaza occupation
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu favors a complete military takeover of Gaza, according to Israeli media reports cited by Reuters, and is meeting senior security officials this evening to finalize a new strategy in the 22-month war.
Netanyahu was set to convene a meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz and military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to decide on a strategy to take to cabinet later this week, an Israeli official told Reuters. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, would also be present.
Channel 12, cited by Times of Israel, reported the meeting is currently underway.
Channel 12 earlier reported that the prime minister was leaning towards taking control of the entire territory, citing an official from Netanyahu's office.
“We are going through a dangerous period in Lebanon's history of independence, but we are stronger thanks to the triptych of 'army, people, and resistance,' and thanks to unity,” he says as he wraps up his speech.
“Aggression is the problem, not weapons," Qassem insists. "The solution is to possess strength, not to give it up. We must be lions to overcome this stage.”
“Know that 'the Resistance' and all honorable resistance fighters, together with the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese people, will remain on the ground and will prevail.”
“'The Resistance' is healthy, strong, proud, full of faith and determination, and determined to be master in its own country," Qassem says. "Lebanon must be a dignified, independent country, and its people are resilient and united."
"The fighters are ready to make the greatest sacrifices.”
“'The Resistance' is part of the Taif Agreement and is explicitly mentioned therein and falls under the National Pact,” Qassem says. “Let's discuss a national security strategy that takes into account Lebanon's strength, instead of setting a timetable for disarmament.”
“The state must tell the international community that it is responsible for protecting its southern and eastern borders and that it is assuming this responsibility,” he adds. “No one can deprive Lebanon of its strength or prevent Lebanon from being dignified.”
“Those who made sacrifices and liberated the country are more patriotic than those who ransacked the homeland and killed citizens.”
“You must be in favor of ending the aggression, withdrawing the occupation, reconstruction, and the liberation of prisoners; only then can you talk about whatever you want,” Qassem says.
“We were expecting to discuss a national security strategy, and suddenly the topic became the surrender of weapons."
Qassem insists that the party is keen on maintaining a "strong cooperation” with the prime minister and the president, who has been spearheading the dialogue surrounding Hezbollah's disarmament.
“We are committed to dialogue, understanding, and cooperation,” Qassem says.
“This country has moved forward thanks to sacrifices and spilled blood. What concerns Lebanon, we discuss in Lebanon, and we organize our internal affairs in a spirit of cooperation and understanding.”
“This is a country where sacrifices were made and blood was shed, and we will not allow anyone to impose dictates on us."
"The ministerial statement talks about strengthening sovereignty," Qassem says. "But is it by abandoning our weapons, as demanded by Israel, the U.S., and certain Arab countries, that we strengthen our sovereignty?"
“This same statement refers to deterring aggressors. But where is the state that removes the threats hanging over Lebanon? Where is the defense of the borders and sensitive points? And if you say you are incapable of doing so, then let us preserve and strengthen this capacity.”
“It is in Israel's interest to avoid a large-scale war, because 'the Resistance,' the army, and the people will defend themselves, and rockets will fall within the entity itself," Qassem says, referring to the triptych phrase that was removed from the latest ministerial statement. "All the security they have built in eight months can collapse in an hour," Qassem insists.
“If we hand over our weapons, the aggression will not stop. The Israeli leaders themselves say so.”
“The state must put measures in place to ensure protection, not strip its citizens and resistance movement of their strength. That is the mission it must accomplish.”
“Give us a timetable and concrete steps to deter the aggressor.”
“We do not accept any new agreement beyond the existing one between the Lebanese state and the Israeli entity [Nov. 27], and we do not accept any timetable presented for implementation while Israeli aggression is still ongoing,” Qassem says. "It is unacceptable for Lebanon to gradually relinquish its power while the Israeli enemy retains all the cards."
Qassem accused Barrack of making uninformed demands of Hezbollah, including giving up hand grenades within a month's time.
“Mr. Barrack demanded the dismantling of 50 percent of our capacity within a month," Qassem said, "but they do not know the actual level of our capacity to be able to define that 50 percent.”
“What Barrack came to impose in order to dismantle the strength and capacity of Lebanon, 'the Resistance,' and the people serves entirely the interests of Israel.”
“'The Resistance' facilitated all the steps incumbent upon the state under the Nov. 27 agreement,” Qassem said, referring to the cease-fire reached between Hezbollah and Israel that brought the 2023-2024 war to a supposed end, despite ongoing Israeli attacks. Qassem accuses Israel of having “reneged on this agreement.”
“Lebanon's interest is the restoration of its sovereignty and its liberation, while Israel's interest is to weaken Lebanon,” Qassem says, accusing U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack — who has become a representative of U.S. demands and proposals in Lebanon, specifically on the Hezbollah disarmament file — of wanting to “serve Israel's interests entirely.”
A convoy of dozens of motorcycles, whose drivers are brandishing flags of Hezbollah, of it assassinated leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and of Iran are circulating in Beirut's Tayouneh neighborhood, just north of the southern suburbs, according to local media.
Qassem begins his speech on the topic of the Aug. 4, 2020 Beirut Port explosion, which was marked by protests and calls for justice during the fifth anniversary yesterday.
Qassem said he hoped that an investigation free from interference would be completed. “We call for the acceleration of trials and investigations into the explosions, free from any politicization or sectarianism,” he said.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has just begun his televised address, while at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government is meeting on the issue of Qassem's party's disarmament.
Israeli drones drop leaflets over funeral procession of assassinated Khiam resident
During the funeral procession currently taking place in the town of Khiam, in Marjayoun district, of Ali Abu Abbas — who was assassinated yesterday in an Israeli drone strike in the same town — an Israeli drone dropped leaflets over the mourners and in the town’s airspace, our correspondent in the South reported.
The leaflet reads: "Ali Suleiman Abu Abbas worked on establishing Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in Khiam and continued to endanger you."
Netanyahu meets US lawmakers in illegal Israeli West Bank settlement
Netanyahu and his wife Sara held a meeting with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson in the illegal Israeli settlement of Shiloh in the Israeli-occupied West Bank last night, according to a statement released by the PM's office and cited by Times of Israel.
The meeting, held over dinner, was also attended by U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee and four Republican members of Congress: Michael McCaul, Claudia Tenney, Nathanial Moran and Michael Cloud. The heads of two umbrella organizations representing Israeli settlements in the West Bank — the Yesha Council and the Binyamin Regional Council — were also present.
According to Axios, the unannounced trip is not considered to be an "official visit." Johnson, who Axios reported is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the West Bank settlements, has been cited saying the occupied territory was the "rightful property of the Jewish people."
An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on a neighborhood in the village of Kfar Kila (Marjayoun district,) according to our correspondent.
Around the same time, residents reported that Israeli army bulldozers were expanding a road and building earth mounds around a recently established military post in the Dawawir area, between Markaba and Houla, also in Marjayoun.
Similar work was carried out ten days earlier in the Tallet Hamames area, south of Khiam.
Hamas must be 'totally defeated' in Gaza to free all Israeli hostages, says Netanyahu
Israel must “totally defeat” Hamas in Gaza to secure the release of all remaining Israeli hostages held in the Palestinian territory, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
“It is necessary to completely defeat the enemy in Gaza, to free all our hostages, and to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. We are not abandoning any of these missions,” he said in a statement from his office, quoted by AFP.
An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on one of the neighborhoods in the town of Kfar Kila (Marjayoun), according to eyewitnesses.
Bulldozers and vehicles belonging to the Israeli forces are carrying out excavation, expansion, and fortification works around the newly established center in the roundabouts between Markaba and Houla in the Marjayoun district, according to our correspondent in the south.
Ten days ago, similar expansion and fortification works were carried out on the occupied Hammams Hill, south of Khiam.
Gaza death toll rises to 61,020, says health ministry
At least 61,020 Palestinians have been killed and 150,671 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to a statement from the Gaza Health Ministry on Tuesday.
In the past 24 hours alone, 87 people were killed — including 52 aid seekers — and 644 others wounded, the ministry said.
In a post on Telegram, the ministry added that many “victims remain under the rubble or on the streets, with ambulances and civil defense teams unable to reach them.”
Hospitals in Gaza also recorded eight new deaths from famine and malnutrition, including one child, bringing the total famine-related death toll to 188, among them 94 children.
Israeli forces kill 6 aid seekers near GHF aid site
At least six Palestinians were killed and nine others injured on Tuesday morning near an aid distribution point run by the GHF close to the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.
The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals, including al-Awda and Al-Aqsa Hospitals in northern Gaza, with injuries to both upper and lower parts of their bodies.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on the crowd, forcing people to flee shortly after aid seekers began collecting food boxes.
Gaza’s Government Media Office has warned of an intensifying humanitarian catastrophe, accusing Israel of deliberately restricting aid and fuelling instability in the besieged territory.
Only 95 aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, the office said in a statement, far below the minimum 600 trucks per day needed to meet basic humanitarian needs, according to UNRWA.
The statement said most of the limited aid was looted due to “security chaos being sowed by the Israeli occupation as part of a systematic policy of engineering chaos and starvation”.
“We condemn the continued systematic starvation, closure of crossings, and denial of aid entry, and hold the occupation and its allies fully responsible for the worsening humanitarian disaster affecting more than 2.4 million people,” the office said.
It also called on the international community to act urgently to reopen crossings and ensure the safe, sustained delivery of food, medicine, and baby formula to civilians in Gaza.
Israeli MP removed from Knesset after calling Gaza war 'genocide.'
Israeli parliamentarian Ofer Cassif from the left-wing Hadash-Ta’al party was forcibly removed from the Knesset podium on Monday night after quoting writer David Grossman, who described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” Haaretz reports.
Cassif said Grossman, in a recent interview, admitted with “immense pain” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The session’s chair interrupted Cassif, calling the quote “made up” and ordered his removal. Another lawmaker shouted, “He will not say ‘genocide’ in here!” before ushers physically removed Cassif.
Red Crescent says volunteer killed by Israeli fire while searching for food
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that a volunteer was fatally shot by Israeli forces while looking for food amid worsening hunger in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.
In a statement on X, the PRCS said 28-year-old Abdel Majeed Adnan Salamah, who has volunteered in Khan Younis for seven years, “worked tirelessly with PRCS ambulance teams, risking his life to rescue the wounded and injured” since the war began.
“Two days ago, he went in search of food in the so-called ‘US-Israeli aid zone’ west of Rafah. There, Israeli forces targeted him along with other starving civilians. He never returned. Abdel Majeed was killed simply trying to survive,” the group said.
The PRCS added that their teams face extreme hunger across Gaza but “despite exhaustion, they continue their life-saving work, committed to easing the suffering of others.”
The organisation renewed its call for all border crossings to be opened immediately, calling unrestricted aid flow “a matter of life and death.”
This statement comes days after an Israeli strike hit the PRCS headquarters in Gaza, killing one worker and injuring three others.
Israeli media reported Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now pushing for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, according to unnamed sources close to him.
Channel 12 quoted senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office as saying: “The decision has been made, Israel is heading towards the occupation of the Gaza Strip.”
The report said Netanyahu used the phrase “occupation of the Strip” in talks with cabinet members and is planning to expand the military offensive, which has largely stalled in recent months.
Ynet also cited sources indicating Israel is preparing for the full occupation of Gaza. Netanyahu is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and settler groups, who were escorted by Israeli forces, according to Wafa news agency and Middle East Eye.
In a statement, the OIC said the move was part of ongoing Israeli attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo at the holy site.
The organisation also called on the international community to act urgently to stop these serious violations and to safeguard the Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem.
Under the long-standing status quo, Jewish prayer is prohibited at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located on the raised plateau in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.
Overview of the situation in South Lebanon this morning:
- An Israeli drone dropped a bomb on another Israeli drone that had crashed earlier this morning in the village of Kfar Shuba, to destroy it, according to our correspondent.
- An Israeli drone dropped leaflets this morning over the northern neighborhood of Kfar Shuba, in Hasbaya District. The leaflets read: “The bulldozer targeted had been used by Hezbollah to rehabilitate its military infrastructure.”
- An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade over the Kasayer neighborhood, east of Mais al-Jabal, near a bulldozer. It then dropped a second stun grenade over Kroum al-Sharqi, also east of the village. No casualties were reported.
Netanyahu says he’s preparing ‘instructions’ for continuing the war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that he would issue "instructions" this week on the continuation of the war in Gaza.
During a Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he would convene his war cabinet “this week” to give the military guidance on “how to achieve the three war goals we have set.”
"We are in the midst of an intense war in which we have achieved very significant, historic successes because we remained united (…) We must continue to remain united," he said.
He reiterated the three goals:
- Defeat the enemy
- Free the hostages
- Ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel
Later in the evening, Channel 11 reported that Netanyahu would convene the cabinet on Tuesday. According to The Jerusalem Post, citing a source from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu has “decided to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, including operations in areas where hostages are held.” Channel 12 quoted a similar anonymous official echoing the same.
Israel announces it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen
The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, which triggered air raid sirens across several areas in Israel.
“A missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the air force,” the army stated on social media.
“Sirens sounded in accordance with protocol.”
Earlier, the army had mentioned a projectile launched by the Houthis from Yemen.
Israel reauthorizes partial entry of private goods into Gaza
Israel has re-authorized the partial entry of private goods into the besieged and famine-threatened Gaza Strip, announced COGAT, a branch of the Israeli Defense Ministry responsible for civil administration in Palestinian territories.
“A mechanism has been approved to gradually and in a controlled manner resume the entry of goods via the private sector into Gaza,” the statement read.
The goal is “to increase the volume of aid entering Gaza while reducing dependency on aid collection by the U.N. and international organizations.”
Gaza: Three Palestinians killed while waiting for food
According to Al-Jazeera Arabic, the Israeli army killed three Palestinians who were waiting to receive food in northern Rafah, southern Gaza.
Several others were injured, according to the outlet’s sources.
Welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East:
- In Gaza, where the Israeli army continues its strikes across the enclave and deadly shootings of aid seekers
- In Lebanon, where Israel is continuing its strikes and targeted assassinations
- And in Iran and Syria, amid broader regional tensions
Catch up on what you missed yesterday and what to look out for today by reading our 👉Morning Brief.
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