Salam government to meet on Sept.5 to follow up on disarmament plan | LIVE

Cabinet to meet Sept.5 to review army’s weapons census plan

Cabinet will meet on Friday, Sept. 5 at 3:00 p.m. at the Presidential Palace in Baabda to present and discuss the operational plan for the weapons census, which the army has been tasked with drafting, according to a decision published on the Grand Serail's X account.

Previous announcements had indicated the meeting was initially rescheduled for Sept.2.

Gaza offensive: Hamas says hostages will face 'same risks' as its fighters

Palestinian group Hamas warned, ahead of Israel’s expected offensive on Gaza City, that the Israeli hostages it holds would be exposed to the “same risks” as its fighters, AFP reports.

“We will take care of the prisoners as best we can, and they will remain with our fighters in the combat zones and areas of confrontation, subject to the same risks and living conditions,” said a statement released by Hamas and attributed to the spokesperson of its armed wing, known by the nom de guerre Abu Obeida.

Israeli army says it has 'eliminated' Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army announced it had "eliminated" Ahmad Naim Maatouk, identified as a "battalion commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force," in a strike on the Lebanese village of Sir al-Gharbieh in southern Lebanon. The army said Maatouk had "planned and carried out numerous attacks against Israel."

According to our correspondent in the South, Maatouk was killed in a strike around 1:45 p.m. He had previously been injured in a mid-September explosion involving detonators that killed 12 and wounded thousands among Hezbollah ranks.

Iran’s oil minister: Tehran has learned to bypass sanctions, even if 'snapback' reimposed

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said Friday that a potential return of sanctions under the so-called “snapback” mechanism could restrict oil exports, but emphasized that Tehran has learned how to circumvent such measures, according to Iran’s official news agency, as reported by Reuters.

On Thursday, the UK, France, and Germany triggered a 30-day process to reinstate U.N. sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear program — a move likely to heighten tensions just two months after Iran was bombed by Israel and the United States.

“We’ve faced restrictions on oil sales for years, and that has allowed us to develop the necessary expertise to bypass sanctions,” Paknejad told state media. “Naturally, snapback could create conditions that require new strategies, but we are not paralyzed by these restrictions.”

➡️ Click here to learn more about the potential impact of the snapback on Iran.

The Israeli army announced it has struck and killed the highest-ranking Islamic State official in Gaza, according to Haaretz.

According to the army, Mohammad Abdelaziz Abu Zubayda, head of the group’s so-called “Palestine District,” was “responsible for setting policy, planning, and overseeing the execution of Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist activities.”

The army added that ISIS had “actively taken part in combat against Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip.”

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced in a post on X that he had contacted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to "welcome the progress made over the past two days regarding the handover of heavy weapons from the Palestinian camps to the Lebanese army."

Salam added that Abbas assured him "additional shipments will be handed over in the coming weeks by the remaining camps, as previously agreed."

Israeli army opens fire near Hounin from new post in Adaisseh

The Israeli army, stationed at a new post in the village of Adaisseh (Marjayoun district,) opened machine gun fire toward the outskirts of Hounin, according to our correspondent in the South.

Hamas calls for more 'punitive measures' against Israel, following Ankara’s example

Hamas welcomed Turkey’s decision to close its ports and airspace to Israeli military and official ships and aircraft, and urged the international community to “intensify punitive measures” against Israel, AFP reports.

“We call on Turkey, Arab and Islamic countries, and the nations of the free world to increase sanctions against [Israel,] sever all ties, and isolate it in order to force it to stop its genocide and destruction of the Gaza Strip,” the Palestinian Islamist movement said in a statement.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) extended its "deepest condolences to the Lebanese Armed Forces and to the families of those who died in yesterday's explosion in Naqoura, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured."

According to the Lebanese army, the incident occurred while its personnel were inspecting an Israeli army drone that had fallen in the area.

"This tragic loss highlights the risks faced by the Lebanese Armed Forces as they assume greater responsibilities in securing southern Lebanon", the statement reads.

"As the Security Council emphasized in Resolution 2790, the parties must ensure full respect for the Blue Line and a complete cessation of hostilities ... The full deployment of the Lebanese army throughout the south is central to Resolution 1701, and UNIFIL coordinates closely with the Lebanese authorities to support them", UNIFIL added

UNIFIL extends condolences after deadly Naqoura blast, urges respect for Blue Line

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed its "deepest condolences to the Lebanese Armed Forces and to the families of those who died" in Thursday’s explosion in Naqoura, and wished a swift recovery to the injured.

The Lebanese Army said the blast occurred as soldiers were inspecting an Israeli army drone that had crashed in the area.

In a statement, UNIFIL also stressed: "As the Security Council emphasized in Resolution 2790, the parties must ensure full respect for the Blue Line and a complete cessation of hostilities. The full deployment of the Lebanese Army throughout the south is central to Resolution 1701, and UNIFIL coordinates closely with the Lebanese authorities to support them."

US denies visas to Palestinian officials ahead of UN General Assembly

The United States has announced it will deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September, where France is expected to advocate for the recognition of a Palestinian state, AFP reports.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio is revoking and denying visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority ahead of the upcoming U.N. General Assembly,” the State Department said in a statemen

Hamas calls for more 'punitive measures' against Israel, following Ankara's lead

Hamas welcomed Turkey’s decision to close its ports and airspace to Israeli military and official ships and aircraft, and called on the international community to “intensify punitive measures” against Israel, AFP reports.

“We urge Turkey, Arab and Islamic countries, and the nations of the free world to step up sanctions against [Israel], sever all ties, and isolate it, in order to force it to end its genocide and the destruction of the Gaza Strip,” the Palestinian Islamist movement said in a statement.

Lebanese Army Chief Rudolf Heikal: The armed forces are preparing for a sensitive phase

Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief Rudolf Heikal stated in Yarzeh (Baabda) that the Lebanese armed forces are preparing for “a delicate phase during which they will have to carry out sensitive missions,” but emphasized they would do so “with respect for civil peace and internal stability.”

His remarks referred to the disarmament process of militias — including Hezbollah and those operating in Palestinian camps.

He made the statement during a special meeting with members of the general staff and other senior officers.

“We have made heavy sacrifices and lost martyrs in the line of national duty, and nothing will deter us from fulfilling our responsibilities across all regions and along the borders,” he added.

The army has suffered several casualties in southern Lebanon since the fragile cease-fire reached in late November between Israel and Hezbollah. On Thursday, two soldiers were killed by an explosion while handling an Israeli drone that had crashed following an attack.

Regarding the situation along the Syrian border, the army command also confirmed that “the necessary communications have taken place with the Syrian authorities regarding control of the northern and eastern borders, in the interest of both sides.”

Israeli military officials believe the Houthis could retaliate for Thursday’s airstrikes carried out by the Israeli Air Force in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, according to Haaretz. However, the report notes that these assessments are not based on concrete intelligence.

The Israeli Air Force targeted several sites in Sanaa, including an area where senior Houthi officials were reportedly gathered, based on military intelligence. The outcome of the strikes remains unclear.

👉For memory

Nuclear Iran

Putin will meet with Iran's President Pezeshkian in China on Monday, according to the Kremlin, reports AFP.

Paris welcomes extension of UNIFIL mandate

France on Friday welcomed the U.N. Security Council's decision the day before to extend the mandate of UNIFIL.

"France welcomes the unanimous adoption by the U.N. Security Council, on Aug. 28 and at France’s initiative, of Resolution 2790 extending UNIFIL’s mandate in Lebanon until Dec. 31, 2026," France Diplomacy, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, posted on X.

(Credit: Muntasser Abdallah)

Activists from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and other organizations based in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near Saida in southern Lebanon organized a popular sit-in in front of the UNRWA clinic in Ain al-Helweh to protest against ongoing cuts to health, education and social services.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, the United Nations Refugee Agency has seen its funding reduced, particularly under Israeli and American pressure in the context of the war.

The foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain issued a joint statement “strongly condemning” Israel's latest offensive in the Gaza Strip and the announcement of a permanent Israeli occupation of Gaza City.

"We reiterate that the intensification of military operations will endanger the lives of hostages, who remain cruelly in the hands of Hamas, and will result in the intolerable death of innocent Palestinian civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. We also condemn the forced displacement of Palestinians, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law," reads the statement, published on the Norwegian government's official website.

"This new offensive opens a phase of uncertainty and unbearable suffering for both sides. The systematic destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, including places serving as shelters for particularly vulnerable displaced persons, is unacceptable. We urge the Israeli government to immediately reconsider its decision and cease its operations. This spiral of violence must end," the ministers added.

Saying they were “horrified” by the famine imposed by Israel on the people of Gaza, they also expressed their “deepest concerns” about the expansion of settlement construction in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law.

Gaza: Death toll exceeds 63,000, according to Health Ministry

At least 59 Palestinians, including 23 who were seeking help, were killed and 224 wounded in 24 hours during Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera reported, citing the territory's Health Ministry.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's war has killed 63,025 people and wounded 159,490 in the enclave, according to the same source.

Also according to the Ministry, since May 27 — the date on which Israel introduced a new aid distribution mechanism via the American organization GHF — 2,203 people have been killed and more than 16,228 wounded while attempting to receive humanitarian assistance.

Gaza: 47 Palestinians killed since dawn by Israeli fire, according to Al Jazeera

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip since dawn has risen to 47, local hospital sources told Al Jazeera.

Among the victims are seven people who were trying to receive aid, they said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Friday that Ankara would sever all economic ties with Israel and close its airspace to Israeli aircraft, according to a statement reported by several Arab and Israeli media outlets.

He added that his country would no longer allow Turkish ships to dock at Israeli ports.

“Israel has been carrying out genocide in the Gaza Strip for two years, before the eyes of the world,” Fidan said. “No country has, to date, taken more significant action, including sanctions against Israel.”

London justifies Israel's exclusion from arms fair

The British government has confirmed that no official Israeli delegation will attend the DSEI U.K. 2025 international arms fair, scheduled to take place next month in London, citing the ongoing military escalation in Gaza as the reason for this decision.

“The Israeli government's decision to further intensify its military operation in Gaza is a mistake,” said a British spokesperson, adding that this position explains why Israel was not invited.

“There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war, with an immediate cease-fire, the return of hostages, and a massive influx of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” he further emphasized.

1 killed in Israeli strike on Sir Gharbieh (Nabatieh district)

The victim of the strike on Sir Gharbieh, Ahmad Naim Maatouk, a native of the village, succumbed to his injuries, according to information from our correspondent.

He had been wounded by the explosion of beacons during the Israeli remote attack, which in mid-September killed 12 people and wounded thousands of Hezbollah cadres, just before Israel escalated the war on Sept. 23, 2024.

According to information from our correspondent, at the time of the strike, the victim was returning from an appointment with an ophthalmologist due to an injury sustained on Sept. 17.

Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon

An Israeli drone strike targeted a car in the town of Sir Gharbieh (Nabatieh district), killing one person, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Israeli army recovers body of hostage Ilan Weiss in Gaza

The Israeli army has announced that it has recovered the body of hostage Ilan Weiss in the Gaza Strip.

It also reported on the X network that it had found the personal belongings of another person believed to be a captive, whose identity has not yet been authorized for publication.

Netanyahu determined despite growing internal pressure

Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to do what he wants, despite growing international pressure and increasing dissent within his own camp and among military leaders, opposition parties, and the families of hostages held in Gaza.

Israeli army declares Gaza City 'dangerous combat zone'

The Israeli army has declared Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone,” without calling on the population to evacuate immediately, as Israel threatens to launch a major military offensive against Hamas, reports AFP.

“As of today [Friday] at 10 a.m., the local tactical pause in military activity will not apply to the Gaza City area, which is a dangerous combat zone,” a military statement said.

This daily “local tactical pause” was announced at the end of July for Gaza City and other areas of the Gaza Strip to, according to the army, “allow the safe passage of U.N. convoys” and humanitarian NGOs into the war-torn and starving Palestinian territory.

An Israeli military drone dropped two sound bombs in Kfar Kila in the Marjayoun district (southern Lebanon), one of which was aimed at the Houra area, according to our correspondent.

Israel condemns exclusion of its representatives from defense exhibition in London

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has strongly criticized the British government's decision to restrict Israel's official participation in the DSEI 2025 defense exhibition, scheduled for September in London, according to Haaretz.

In a statement, the ministry said that these restrictions imposed on its military and government officials “constitute a deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination against Israel's representatives.”

The Israeli Defense Ministry added that this decision “plays into the hands of extremists, confers legitimacy on terrorism, and introduces political considerations that are totally inappropriate for a defense trade show.”

The statement did, however, specify that Israeli arms companies that choose to participate in the exhibition will receive all necessary assistance from the ministry.

Israel has killed 21 Palestinians in Gaza Strip since dawn, including strike on displaced persons in al-Mawassi

At least 21 Palestinians have been killed since dawn in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, according to medical sources cited by Al Jazeera.

Among the victims are five people killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting tents sheltering displaced persons in the al-Mawassi area, south of the enclave. Several other displaced persons, including children, were also wounded. This area, located west of the city of Khan Younis and supposed to be a “safe zone,” is regularly targeted by Israeli army attacks.

After the death of two Lebanese soldiers in the explosion of Israeli ammunition, Adraee cites a “technical failure.”

The Israeli army commented this morning on the explosion of one of its munitions the previous evening in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, which killed two Lebanese military personnel, a soldier and an officer.

In a message on his X account, Israeli army Arabic-speaking spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that the initial shot was aimed at a "vehicle that was preparing to rebuild Hezbollah military infrastructure in the area.

The ammunition fell without exploding due to a “technical malfunction” before detonating during the Lebanese Army's intervention.

According to the spokesperson, the Israeli army is “examining the possibility that this incident resulted from the explosion of Israeli weapons” and “regrets” that it caused casualties.

Israeli machine gun fire near Houla, Markaba

On Thursday night, shortly after 10:30 p.m., the Israeli army opened fire with medium-caliber machine guns from a position it occupies on the road connecting Houla to Markaba (southern Lebanon), toward the eastern outskirts of the two towns located in the Marjayoun district, without causing any casualties, according to our correspondent in the region.

Israeli army drones also flew over several villages in southern Lebanon.

Media outlets claim that Houthi prime minister was killed in Israeli strikes on Sanaa

Yemeni media outlets affiliated with opponents of the Houthi rebel regime reported overnight Thursday to Friday that Houthi Prime Minister Ahmad al-Rahawi was killed in Israeli strikes on Sanaa last night.

The Yemeni news channel Al Joumhouriya TV, broadcasting from Aden, reported that Rahawi had been killed in an apartment in the Bayt Baws neighborhood of Sanaa.

The Houthis have not yet officially confirmed the prime minister's death.

Iran ready to resume 'fair' nuclear talks if the West shows 'goodwill'

Iran is ready to resume “fair” negotiations on its controversial nuclear program if the West shows goodwill, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last night, hours after three European powers triggered the process to reimpose U.N. sanctions against Tehran, known as the “snapback.”

In a letter to European Union Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas, Araghchi reaffirmed “Iran's willingness to resume fair and balanced diplomatic negotiations, provided that the other parties show seriousness and goodwill and avoid any action that would compromise the chances of success.”

Lindsey Graham from Tel Aviv: Hezbollah must disappear

Speaking from Tel Aviv yesterday, Thursday, after a tour of Lebanon with a delegation that included envoy Tom Barrack, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said that, with Iran's regional influence reduced to a level dating back to “before 1979” and the Islamic revolution, it was time to “eliminate” Hezbollah in Lebanon.

He warned that he was prepared to resort to a “Plan B” involving the use of “military” force to disarm Hezbollah if a "political" solution was not achieved by the end of the year.

At his press conference, the senator expressed hope that with the planned end of the U.N. presence in southern Lebanon, approved the previous evening by the U.N. Security Council, Israel would “discuss directly” with Lebanon to ensure the deployment of the army south of the Litani River, along the border.

We are now launching our live coverage of events in the Middle East: in Gaza, where the Israeli army continues its bloody offensive and prepares to occupy the main city; in Lebanon, where Israel continues its bombing and targeted strikes and where two soldiers were killed yesterday in the explosion of a bomb dropped by an Israeli drone, as well as in Iran and Syria.