Hezbollah disarmament: Army plan implementation subject to 'constraints,' Cabinet commits to developing 'national security strategy' l LIVE

We are now closing our LIVE coverage of the region for the night. We will be back tomorrow morning with more news updates.

Israeli army arrests 70 people in occupied West Bank in 1 week

Israeli forces have arrested 70 suspects over the past week in dozens of villages in the occupied West Bank, Al Jazeera reported. In a statement, the army indicated that some of those arrested were in possession of pistols and explosive devices.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, Israeli soldiers have carried out raids and mass arrests almost daily in the occupied Palestinian territory.

(Credit: Anthony Merchak/MTV)

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United States, Nada Moawad, presented her credentials to U.S. President Donald Trump, reports MTV Washington correspondent Anthony Merchak, adding that the Lebanese flag was then raised in the White House courtyard.

Appointed in June, the ambassador also delivered a letter from President Joseph Aoun to the U.S. president, in which the head of state emphasized the importance of relations between Lebanon and the United States.

Israeli drones are flying low over the skies of the villages of Zahrani and surrounding areas, south of the city of Saida, reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

According to the LBCI, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri welcomed the government's formula and the army's plan, as they set no deadline for the implementation of the arms monopoly and made its implementation conditional on Israel's acceptance of the plan.

The leader of the Amal movement also declared that he was "against any recourse to the streets" and added: "And if necessary, I will take to the streets myself to confront it."

"The Lebanese government is committed to developing a national security strategy, within the framework of implementing the principle of the state's exclusive authority over its entire territory and its monopoly on arms," ​​Morcos continued.

He insisted that Beirut "has not and will not make any concessions to Israel," specifying that "the [Shiite] ministers who withdrew from the session did not withdraw from the government." He added: "The government has not conceded a single point regarding the plan to extend its sovereignty and is continuing its implementation without provoking an explosion in the internal situation."

"The Lebanese Army will begin implementing the plan within the means available," Morcos continued. General Haykal outlined constraints related to this implementation, and they are linked both to the plan itself and to the army and the "conditions imposed by Israel."

Within this framework, the troops will act "within the framework established on Aug. 5," when they were tasked with disarming the militias before the end of the year, but they retain the right to an "operational assessment."

"The Lebanese government is committed to developing a national security strategy, within the framework of implementing the principle of the state's exclusive authority over its entire territory and its monopoly on arms," ​​Morcos continued.

He insisted that Beirut "has not and will not make any concessions to Israel," specifying that "the [Shiite] ministers who withdrew from the session did not withdraw from the government."

He added: "The government has not conceded a single point regarding the plan to extend its sovereignty and is continuing its implementation without provoking an explosion in the internal situation."

"The Lebanese Army will begin implementing the plan within the means available," Morcos continued.

General Haykal outlined the constraints related to this implementation, which are linked both to the plan itself and to the army, as well as the "conditions imposed by Israel."

Within this framework, the troops will act "within the framework established on Aug. 5," when they were tasked with disarming the militias before the end of the year, but they retain the right to an "operational assessment."

Paul Morcos then announced that the army command will present a monthly report to the Cabinet regarding the implementation of the plan.

"Lebanon insists on the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and rejects any fragmentation of the cease-fire agreement," he added, specifying that "any progress on the American proposal remains conditional on the commitment of the other parties, including Israel."

U.S. envoy Tom Barack returned from Tel Aviv last week without being able to provide any guarantees regarding an Israeli withdrawal from the positions still occupied by Israel in southern Lebanon.

The information minister further stated that the Cabinet had listened to the army commander's explanations on the arms monopoly and "welcomed" it. The government has decided to keep the details of this plan confidential.

According to Morcos, the head of state also discussed the positive economic developments in the country and emphasized the need for legislative elections to be held on the scheduled date, next spring.

Morcos revealed that, for his part, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that there would be no foreign investment in Lebanon "until the conditions of security and stability are met in the country, and this is what I ensured during my visits to France and Egypt."

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Information Minister Paul Morcos said that during the meeting, "the President of the Republic reiterated his condemnation of the continuing Israeli attacks" on Lebanon.

Aoun also praised the Lebanese diplomatic efforts that accompanied the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate, considering this decision "a victory for Lebanon."

Minister for Displaced Persons Kamal Shehadi said the plan presented by Rodolph Haykal was "excellent."

When asked whether or not to "adopt" the army's plan, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri simply replied, according to LBC, that the Cabinet had "welcomed" it. Informed sources had told our publication before the Cabinet meeting that the formula found would see the government acknowledge the plan, without having to vote or make a decision.

Haidar to MTV: In the ministerial statement, we approved a national security strategy that will lead to a monopoly on arms once the military institution's defensive capabilities are strengthened. However, the army is currently unable to defend Lebanon.

"All our ministers withdrew from the Cabinet meeting to protest the government's insistence on discussing the arms monopoly plan ... The withdrawal of the Shiite ministers from the Cabinet meeting means that Lebanon is facing an extremely serious political crisis," Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, a member of Hezbollah's Political Council, told Al-Modon.

"The President of the Republic and the Prime Minister bear primary responsibility for what happened during the Cabinet meeting. Our next response will be determined based on the developments and outcomes of the Cabinet meeting," he continued.

"It is too early to judge the Lebanese Army's position; we will subsequently assess the plan that was presented. However, it is our right to resort to the streets or to resign from the government, and we are currently studying all appropriate options for our future actions," he concluded.

All ministers remain inside the meeting's hall despite the government session having ended, according to local media outlets

The Cabinet ended its meeting a little over half an hour after the army commander-in-chief left.

"We withdrew from the session, not from the government," Finance Minister Yassin Jaber said, according to the Al Markazia news agency.

"We will participate in the next Cabinet meeting and will wait for the final statement to act accordingly," he added.

According to our correspondent, the Lebanese Army has reinforced its presence at the entrances to the southern suburbs of Beirut.

However, the Shiite Amal-Hezbollah alliance has not yet decided to take to the streets, pending the outcome of the Cabinet meeting.

According to LBCI, the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Army, Rodolph Haykal, finished presenting the disarmament plan to the Cabinet meeting and left the palace.

Environment Minister Tamara Zein told LBCI:

“Some media outlets are suggesting that our departure coincided with the arrival of the army commander-in-chief, when in fact we waited for him to arrive, greeted him and congratulated him, then expressed our position before leaving the meeting.”

Minister Fadi Makki posted on X:

"I did everything I could to overcome the obstacles and was in favor of discussing the army's plan, leaving it to its leadership to decide on the timing, an institution we respect and consider to be the guarantor of the country's unity and sovereignty. However, given the current situation and the withdrawal of an essential component [of the government, namely the ministers of the Shiite Amal-Hezbollah tandem], I cannot take responsibility for such a decision again and have therefore decided to withdraw from the session. "

“During my speech in the session, I also said that I was prepared to resign if it served the national interest,” he added.

“I therefore once again invite my fellow ministers and political leaders to discuss the plan in accordance with the ministerial statement we all agreed on, particularly with regard to the monopoly of arms in the hands of the state and its institutions, calmly and prudently, placing the interests of the country, the South, and civil peace above all other considerations,” the minister concluded.

President Joseph Aoun informed the Parliament of his decision to “refer [to Parliament for a second reading] the law on the organization of the judiciary, adopted on July 31, in accordance with the constitutional deadline and in accordance with the powers of the president defined in Article 57 of the Constitution,” according to a message published on X by the Presidency.

The head of state justified his decision by stating that the text voted on “contains formal, material and substantive errors, rendering some of its provisions unenforceable, in addition to failing to comply with international principles, foundations and standards.”

The four items added to the agenda were approved at the beginning of the meeting, according to the Al Markazia news agency.

“The Cabinet meeting is continuing despite the withdrawal of the Shiite ministers, and the army chief is presenting the technical details and the gaps that need to be filled for the plan to be implemented,” the agency added.

Minister Fadi Makki told President Aoun that it was not possible to request a discussion on the army’s plan in the context of ongoing Israeli attacks, an informed source told L’Orient-Le Jour.

He added that if there were insistence on debating the plan, he would hand in his resignation to the President.

However, according to our information, Makki will not take action until the four other Shiite ministers (from the tandem) have decided to resign from the Cabinet.

Minister Haidar says Hezbollah ministers left Baabda

Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar, close to Hezbollah, told al-Manar, “We have left the Baabda Presidential Palace, and we will not return to this meeting.”

Hezbollah denies Shiite ministers' resignations

A Hezbollah source told L’Orient Today that rumors about the resignation of Amal and Hezbollah ministers are unfounded.

The source also dismissed reports suggesting independent Shiite minister Fadi Makki might resign, calling the information “not accurate.”

The five Shiite ministers who withdrew from the Cabinet meeting have not yet left Baabda Presidential Palace, according to MTV.

All Shiite ministers leave Cabinet meeting

Fadi Makki, the fifth Shiite minister who isn't affiliated with Amal or Hezbollah, withdrew from the Cabinet meeting.

Shiite ministers withdraw from Cabinet meeting

Ministers affiliated with the Amal Hezbollah parties withdrew from the Cabinet meeting, Markaziya reported.

It is not yet clear whether the fifth Shiite minister, Fadi Makki, is still in the meeting

Reminder: A Hezbollah source told L’Orient Today Thursday night that Amal and Hezbollah's ministers will walk out of Friday’s Cabinet session on the state’s monopoly on weapons as soon as the debate turns to the army’s plan for disarming militias.

“We refuse to discuss the plan, even without a timetable,” the source said. To find out more, click here.👈

Cabinet meeting reaches quorum

The quorum for the Cabinet meeting was reached with the arrival of Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine.

Ministers comment ahead of Cabinet Meeting

Minister of Administrative Reform Fadi Makki (Shiite), close to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, asked about a possible withdrawal from the meeting, said, “We will see in a moment.”

Sunni Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar added on arrival, “The security situation is under control and, God willing, nothing will happen either during the session or outside,” al-Modon reported.

Health minister: ‘Everything is fine’ ahead of Cabinet meeting

Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine (Shiite), close to Hezbollah, said “everything is fine” as he entered the room for the Cabinet meeting, An-Nahar reported.

(Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)

Cabinet session begins with minute of silence

President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam opened the Cabinet meeting, our photojournalist Mohammad Yassin reported.

The session began with a minute of silence in memory of former Lebanese MP and minister Hassan Rifai, who died on Sept. 3.

Army chief arrives at Baabda for Cabinet meeting, Shiite ministers present 

Army Commander-in-Chief Rodolph Haykal arrived at Baabda Presidential Palace for the Cabinet meeting.

All Shiite ministers were also present, al-nashra reported.

(Credit: Moahmmad Yassin/L'Orient Today)

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, surrounded by Justice Minister Adel Nassar and Andre Rahal, President Joseph Aoun's advisor, arriving at the Cabinet meeting.

Lebanese army disarmament plan may face delay

The Lebanese army’s plan to give the state a monopoly on weapons “may not be approved” at today’s Cabinet meeting, but could be debated in future sessions to determine its implementation, al-Jadeed TV reported.

Lebanese Cabinet meeting begins

The Cabinet meeting has started, according to several local media outlets, including LBCI.

(Credit: Photo posted on the Lebanese presidency's X account)

Aoun and Salam meet ahead of Cabinet meeting

President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met at Baabda Presidential Palace shortly before the Cabinet convenes, the Lebanese presidency website reported.

Joe Issa al-Khoury downplays tensions ahead of Cabinet meeting

Lebanese Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury, close to the Lebanese Forces, said he was confident there would be no clash during the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 3 p.m., where the army is set to present its plan to disarm militias, including Hezbollah.

“A clash? Certainly not!” he told LBCI when asked if tensions might erupt between Hezbollah and its critics demanding a state monopoly on weapons.

Hezbollah ally warns Aoun on arms debate

Jaafari Mufti Ahmad Qabalan, close to Hezbollah, told President Joseph Aoun he would be responsible for any “unconstitutional session or decision” by the Cabinet during its meeting on the army’s Hezbollah disarmament plan.

Qabalan made the remarks at the Imam Hussein mosque in Burj al-Barajneh, in Beirut's southern suburb, during the Prophet’s birthday celebrations.

“You are the constitutional guarantor and the responsibility lies with you … The government is only a few hours away from correcting this serious mistake,” he said, urging caution to avoid threatening civil peace and Lebanon’s founding pact.

He added, “The Resistance is a national defense force and a full partner of the Lebanese Army … There is no greater betrayal than undermining this sovereign cohesion between the army and the resistance.”

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber in Baabda on Sept. 5, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)

Lebanese ministers arrive at Baabda Presidential Palace

Ministers are beginning to arrive at Baabda Presidential Palace for the government meeting, our photographer on site reported.

(Credit: @LBPresidency/X)

Aoun meets former Iraqi PM ahead of Cabinet meeting

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met former Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kazimi in Baabda, the presidency said on X, to discuss “the latest developments.” Details of the meeting have not been disclosed.

The meeting comes less than an hour before the Cabinet convenes on the army’s plan to restore the state’s arms monopoly. Iraq recently disarmed the Hashd al-Shaabi, a mostly Shiite paramilitary group, which was integrated into its army.

In April, Aoun sparked controversy by saying Lebanon seeks to disarm Hezbollah, avoiding a Lebanese version of Hashd al-Shaabi.

Israel says it hit Gaza tower used by Hamas

The Israeli army said it struck a tower in Gaza City that “was used by Hamas.” Military spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed the site housed infrastructure for “promoting and implementing terrorist plans against Israeli forces.”

He accused Hamas of “systematically violating international law by using civilian facilities and the population to conceal their activities.”

Israel signals wider strikes in Gaza City

The Israeli military said it plans to hit “several buildings in Gaza City that have been turned into terrorist infrastructure” as part of an expanded campaign against Hamas.

Israeli Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X that a “vast intelligence operation” had detected “intense terrorist activity” across multiple sites in the city, particularly in high-rise towers.

Lebanese Cabinet to discuss army’s disarmament plan

The Cabinet is set to meet in an hour to discuss the army’s proposal for disarming militias, including Hezbollah. Ahead of the high-stakes session, political contacts are underway to find a formula that could avert tensions and a potential internal showdown.

What’s being said in those consultations, and what did Hezbollah privately tell L’Orient Today just before the meeting? 

To find out more, click here. 👈

(Credit: Image sent to our correspondent, Muntasser Abdallah)

Hezbollah buries two members killed in Israeli strikes — 5 killed in Wednesday's Israeli strikes

Hezbollah held funerals today for two of its fighters killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday, our correspondent in the south reported. A ceremony was held in Yater (Bint Jbeil) for Abelmonhem Sweidan, killed in a drone strike in Yater, while another took place in Adsheet for Rida Ali Zreik, killed in the series of strikes on a commercial and industrial site near Kharayeb, in the Saida district.

Wednesday was one of the deadliest days in southern Lebanon in recent weeks. At least five people were killed in Israeli attacks. In addition to Sweidane and Zreik, a Hezbollah member and father was killed in an artillery strike on a house in Shebaa (Hasbaya), and two Syrian workers were killed in the evening airstrikes on a construction warehouse in Ansarieh.

Finland to sign Franco-Saudi on two-state solution

Finland said today it would sign a French-Saudi declaration supporting a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians but did not set a date for recognizing Palestinian statehood, AFP reported.

“The process led by France and Saudi Arabia is the most significant international effort in years to create the conditions for a two-state solution,” Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen wrote on X.

Finland’s right-wing coalition is divided on the issue, with the far-right Finns Party and the Christian Democrats opposed. Valtonen said, “Finland is committed to recognizing the state of Palestine at some point in the future,” without giving a timeline.

Israel Katz says ‘gates of hell’ open in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X that the "gates of hell opened" in Gaza, vowing to intensify military strikes. "Now the bolt is being removed from the gates of hell in Gaza," he added.

He announced a first evacuation order for a high-rise building slated for attack, though the army has not made this public.

“When the door opens, it will not close and the activity of the Israeli army will intensify,” Katz added, urging Hamas to “accept Israel’s conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and disarmament — or they will be destroyed."

French actress to join Gaza-bound aid flotilla

French actress Adèle Haenel told AFP she will travel from Tunis to Gaza aboard the Global Sumud flotilla to show Palestinians that “humanity is still there.”

“At this dramatic moment in history, I made the decision to board one of the boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s humanitarian mission,” Haenel said.

Israeli drone drops sound bomb in southern Lebanon

An Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb near a motorcycle in Yaroun, Bint Jbeil district, southern Lebanon, without causing injuries, our regional correspondent reported.

19 killed in Israeli strikes around Gaza City

Gaza’s civil defense agency said Friday that 19 people were killed in a series of Israeli strikes in and around Gaza City, AFP reported.

Spokesman Mahmud Bassal said the attacks hit buildings and tents housing displaced residents in several neighborhoods and on the city’s outskirts, where the U.N. says more than a million people face famine.

Hamas releases video of two Israeli hostages

Hamas’ military wing released a video Thursday showing two Israeli hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. The three-and-a-half-minute video shows one hostage in a car moving through destroyed buildings, asking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Hebrew not to carry out the planned offensive on Gaza City.

The hostage says he is in Gaza City and that the video was filmed on Aug. 28, 2025. AFP could not verify the footage or its date, while Haaretz identified one of the men as Guy Gilboa-Dalal.

Earlier, the Israeli army warned the hostages’ families that planned operations in Gaza City “increase the risks” of injury or death for those held by Hamas and that they should prepare for possible “psychological terror” tactics, including staged releases.

Death toll of Israeli strike on Ansarieh rises to two

One of the Syrian workers wounded Wednesday night in an Israeli strike on a construction equipment warehouse between Ansarieh and Adloun in southern Lebanon has died, our regional correspondent reported.

Israeli machine gun fire reported in southern Lebanon last night

Machine gun fire hit southern Lebanon after 10 p.m., targeting the outskirts of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya district) from the Israeli position at Ramtha on the disputed heights of Kfar Shuba, our regional correspondent reported.

Additional shots were also fired at the Khiam Plain (Marjayoun) from Israel’s position on Hamames Hill, which remains under Israeli occupation. The attacks in Khiam come in the context of 'warning' leaflets dropped yesterday by the Israeli army. 

Around midnight, an explosion was heard in Ramieh (Bint Jbeil), though its cause was not immediately identified.

EU commissioner calls Gaza situation ‘genocide’

European Commissioner Teresa Ribera on Thursday described the situation in Gaza as “genocide,” criticizing the inaction of the 27 EU member states. She is the first member of the EU executive to use that term.

"The genocide in Gaza exposes Europe's failure to act and speak with one voice, even as protests spread across European cities and 14 U.N. Security Council members call for an immediate cease-fire," Teresa Ribera said at the opening ceremony of the academic year at the Sciences Po university in Paris.

To read the details, click here👈 

UNICEF warns Gaza children facing ‘unthinkable’ conditions

UNICEF warned Thursday that “childhood cannot survive” in Gaza City as Israel prepares to take control of the enclave’s most populous area.

"The world is sounding the alarm about what an intensified military offensive in Gaza City could bring — a catastrophe for the almost 1 million people who remain there," spokeswoman Tess Ingram said. "This unthinkable is not looming — it is already here. The escalation is underway."

Ingram added that famine, malnutrition, displacement, and bombing are putting children at extreme risk. "This is what famine in a war zone looks like, and it was everywhere I looked in Gaza City," she added.

She said the crisis is "not accidental. It is the direct consequence of choices that have turned Gaza City and indeed the entire Strip into a place where people's lives are under attack, from every angle, every day."

Hamas officials meet Iranian minister

A delegation of Hamas officials met Monday in Doha with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel’s possible annexation of the West Bank, following statements by Israeli ministers, the group said.

U.S. sanctions three Palestinian rights groups

The United States announced new sanctions overnight against three Palestinian human rights organizations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, Haaretz reported. The groups targeted are al-Haq, the al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.

The State Department accused them of "taking actions to internationalize its conflict with Israel" and of "continuing to support terrorism, including incitement and glorification of violence," alleging they had provided financial assistance to Palestinian militant groups.

Three Palestinians hurt in settler attack near Hebron

About 30 Israeli settlers attacked the village of Khallet al-Daba, south of Hebron, injuring three Palestinians, activists in the southern occupied West Bank said Tuesday, according to Haaretz.

The Israeli army said it was aware of the incident and had sent troops to the area. The Red Crescent said the injured were aged 84, 64 and 13, and were taken to the hospital.

Khallet al-Daba is one of 12 villages in Massafer Yatta, home to more than 1,000 residents. Demolitions have intensified there in recent months, and in May, Israeli authorities destroyed most of the village’s infrastructure.

Good morning,

Thank you for joining our live coverage of the Middle East.

In Lebanon, the government is set to examine an army plan today aimed at restoring the state’s monopoly on weapons, including disarming militias like Hezbollah.

We’ll also be following developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where Israeli attacks are intensifying, as well as updates from Iran and Syria.

To catch up on what you've missed yesterday and know what to expect today, read our👉 Morning Brief