Famine is over in Gaza, where food insecurity persists, says the UN | LIVE

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

Rubio says US hopes talks between Lebanon, Israel lead to strong government, Hezbollah disarmament

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States hopes talks between Lebanese and Israeli authorities will lead to a strong Lebanese government and the disarmament of Hezbollah.

“We hope that the talks between the Lebanese and Israeli authorities will provide guidelines and a way forward to avoid further escalation of the conflict,” Rubio said at a press conference.

Naqoura meeting: 'Mutual interest in eliminating Hezbollah threat', says Netanyahu

Following the Naqoura meeting, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council represented Israel at the meeting, which is “part of the ongoing security dialogue aimed at ensuring the disarmament of Hezbollah by the Lebanese Army.”

“During the meeting, ways to promote economic projects were discussed, in order to emphasize the mutual interest in eliminating the threat posed by Hezbollah and ensuring lasting security for residents on both sides of the border,” according to the office.

Caesar Act: Syria welcomes the definitive lifting of US sanctions

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the definitive lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States against Syria.

In a statement, Damascus welcomed the decision, seeing it as "the beginning of a phase of reconstruction and development," and called on "all Syrians, both inside and outside the country, to contribute to the national recovery efforts," reports AFP.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Congress approved the definitive lifting of sanctions, with the repeal of a law known as "Caesar," adopted during the time of former President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted from power in December 2024.

The text effectively banned the country from the international banking system and financial transactions in dollars.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem arrives in Gaza for Christmas celebrations

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has arrived in the Gaza Strip for a visit to mark Christmas celebrations, the patriarchate announced in a statement reported by AFP.

On Sunday, Pizzaballa will preside over "a Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family," the only Catholic church in this war-torn Palestinian territory, where a small Christian minority still lives.

Famine in Gaza is over, but food insecurity persists, according to the UN

While the U.N. has declared that there is no longer famine in Gaza is over, the majority of the population in the Strip continues to face high levels of food insecurity, according to a U.N. report cited by AFP.

"Following the cease-fire declared on Oct. 10, 2025, the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis indicates a notable improvement in food security and nutrition," according to the IPC, a Rome-based U.N. agency.

The latest assessment by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification comes four months after it reported that 514,000 people — nearly a quarter of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip — were experiencing famine.

The IPC warned on Friday that the situation in the enclave remained critical. The majority of the population in the Gaza Strip continues to "face high levels of food insecurity" and the situation remains "critical" despite "improved access for humanitarian and commercial food deliveries."

"The entire Gaza Strip is classified as being in a state of emergency (IPC phase 4) until mid-April 2026. No area is classified as being in a state of famine (IPC phase 5)," the U.N. agency said.

Next 'Mechanism' to take place on Jan. 7, 2026, announces Lebanese presidency

President Joseph Aoun has announced that the date of the next meeting of the "Mechanism," the committee established to oversee the cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel, has been set for Jan. 7, 2026.

Aoun also posted on X reaffirming that "the return of the inhabitants of the border villages to their villages, homes and lands is a priority and an essential step in addressing all other details," The Lebanese president made these remarks during his meeting with the head of the negotiating delegation within the Committee, Simon Karam, who had returned from the meeting and briefed him on the discussions.

The Mechanism's meeting was also "an opportunity for a detailed and documented presentation of what has been accomplished by the Lebanese Army," the presidency added.

South Lebanon: Israeli army drone crashes in Odaisseh

An Israeli army drone crashed in Odaisseh (Marjayoun) and the Lebanese Army went to the site to recover it, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

'Mechanism' meeting in Naqoura: Support for Lebanese Army and 'economic priorities' between Lebanon and Israel on the agenda

The Cease-fire Monitoring Committee (known as the 'Mechanism') between Lebanon and Israel met in Naqoura this morning for the second time in its new form, which includes civilian representatives from both countries, and focused in particular on "economic priorities" for both countries, in addition to issues of military "cooperation" and reconstruction, according to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy following the discussions.

According to the statement, this 15th meeting of the committee was held to "continue coordinated efforts toward stability and a lasting cessation of hostilities."

The military participants "took stock" of the current situation and "all agreed that strengthening the Lebanese Army, which guarantees security in south of the Litani River, was essential to the success" of current operations.

At the same time, civilian participants discussed "the conditions for the safe return of residents to their homes, the continuation of reconstruction and the response to economic priorities."

Over 1,000 Palestinians died in Gaza since July 2024 awaiting medical evacuation

More than 1,000 people died between July 2024 and the end of last month in the Gaza Strip while awaiting medical evacuation, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced, according to AFP.

"1,092 patients died between July 2024 and November 28, 2025 while waiting for medical evacuation," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on social media, estimating that this figure from the Gaza Ministry of Health was "probably underestimated."

"Since October 2023, the WHO and its partners have evacuated more than 10,600 patients with serious health problems from Gaza, including more than 5,600 children requiring intensive care," the WHO chief added.

Tedros also called for "more countries to welcome patients from Gaza and requested the resumption of medical evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem."

"Lives depend on it," he insisted.

Gaza truce: Hamas expects talks in Florida to end Israeli 'violations'

Hamas hopes that talks scheduled for today in Florida will put an end to Israeli "violations" in the Gaza Strip, where a precarious cease-fire has been in place since October, a senior Palestinian official has announced.

"Our people expect these talks to result in an agreement to end Israeli excesses and stop all violations," Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau, told AFP when asked about a meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss the next steps in Gaza.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is due to meet in Miami with representatives from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, mediators in the conflict, to discuss the next steps concerning the Gaza Strip.

Egyptian PM meets with Aoun in Baabda

After his meetings at the Grand Serail, Moustapha Madbouly arrived at the Baabda Presidential Palace for a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

'We continue to reject Israel's constant violations and occupation of certain areas in the south,' says Egyptian PM

The Egyptian Prime Minister reiterated during the press conference his country's support for the Lebanese authorities' efforts to extend their authority over the entire territory.

"We support the Lebanese government's efforts to extend state control over the entire national territory and commend the efforts of Presidents Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam to consolidate stability," he said.

He added that "Egypt considers Lebanon an essential pillar of stability in the Middle East and is working to keep it safe from any escalation."

In this context, he stressed the importance of a "strong state" in Lebanon as a "guarantee" of this stability.

"We reaffirm Egypt's consistent position in support of Lebanon and continue to reject Israel's constant violations and occupation of certain areas in the south," he concluded.

Salam thanks Egypt for its efforts to 'end the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon'

Following the meeting between Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and his Egyptian counterpart Moustapha Madbouly, Salam thanked Madbouly for "Egypt's role in efforts to end the Israeli occupation in the south."

Salam also welcomed Madbouly's interest in meeting with economic authorities "with the aim of strengthening relations between the various Egyptian and Lebanese sectors."

He announced at a joint press conference that he had discussed with the Egyptian Prime Minister the "priorities for cooperation on several vital issues" and considered that the relationship between Lebanon and Egypt "goes beyond the simple exchange of interests, and that it is a shared history that we wish to project into the future."

'Mechanism' meeting in southern Lebanon, Israeli army fires sound grenade opposite Ras Naqoura

An Israeli drone fired a sound grenade opposite the coast of Ras Naqoura, on the border between Lebanon and Israel, while a meeting of the "Mechanism," the cease-fire monitoring committee, was taking place in the area, according to our correspondent in the South.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustapha Madbouly arrives at the Grand Serail

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustapha Madbouly met with his Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail.

Following an official welcoming ceremony during which the Internal Security Forces (ISF) band played the Lebanese and Egyptian national anthems, the two prime ministers reviewed the honor guard and greeted the members of the official Lebanese and Egyptian delegations, according to a statement from the Lebanese Council of Ministers on X.

Salam and Madbouly then held a meeting during which they discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Extended talks also took place between the Lebanese and Egyptian delegations, chaired by the two heads of government.

Several Egyptian officials traveled to Beirut with the Egyptian Prime Minister, including Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Abdel Hadi Farag, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Essmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi.

The Iraqi army and the anti-IS coalition carries out operation in Syria

On Thursday, Iraqi army intelligence services carried out an operation in Syria, with the support of the international anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition, aimed at arresting two individuals wanted by the Iraqi justice system.

According to a statement from the security forces' "media cell" published on Facebook, the operation was carried out via an "airborne landing" in northeastern Syria.

No information on the individuals apprehended was immediately available.

Egypt 'is sparing no effort to support Lebanon, its people, and its leaders,' says Abdelatty

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said in an interview published in the daily newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat that his country "is sparing no effort to support Lebanon, its people, and its leaders."

"We are making intensive and sustained efforts at all levels with all the international and regional parties concerned. I have been in close contact with Israel, Iran, and the United States in order to spare Lebanon the torment of any intervention or military operation that could undermine the capabilities and resources of the Lebanese people," he added.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustapha Madbouly is currently visiting Beirut as part of these diplomatic negotiations led by Cairo.

"We welcome all the measures taken by the Lebanese Army and the achievements made in the region south of the Litani River in terms of imposing the sovereignty of the state and asserting its control. We also welcome the Lebanese government's commitment to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement signed last year and to implement it throughout Lebanese territory, not only in the area south of the Litani River," he added.

Israeli settler injures young Palestinian east of Nablus

A young Palestinian suffered fractures to both legs early this morning after being run over by an Israeli settler on Amman Street, east of Nablus, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Local sources reported that a group of settlers stormed the eastern part of the city in their vehicles, and that one of them deliberately ran over the young man as he was walking on Amman Street, causing fractures to both his legs.

This attack comes amid an upsurge in Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their homes and infrastructure across the occupied West Bank, carried out under the protection of Israeli occupation forces as part of ongoing policies aimed at terrorizing residents and expanding the colonial presence in Palestinian areas.

Gaza: Meeting scheduled in Miami between Witkoff and representatives from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will meet today in Miami, Florida, with representatives from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey to discuss the next steps regarding the Gaza Strip, AFP learned yesterday from a U.S. official.

Qatar and Egypt, which are acting as mediators and guarantors of the cease-fire in the Palestinian territory ravaged by two years of war, recently called for the next phase of Donald Trump's plan to be implemented.

This phase calls for the disarmament of Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from the entire territory, the establishment of a transitional authority, and the deployment of an international force.

Turkey will be represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. In a speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country stood "firmly alongside the Palestinians."

Israelis cross the Gaza border to demand its re-occupation

Several Israelis entered the Gaza Strip yesterday and raised the Israeli flag in a former settlement, calling for the re-occupation of the Palestinian territory.

Israeli right-wing accounts posted a photo on social media showing around 20 men, women and children gathered around an Israeli flag planted on a vacant lot, claiming it was taken in Kfar Darom.

This former kibbutz in the center of the Gaza Strip was evacuated, along with 20 other settlements, during Israel's unilateral disengagement in 2005.

The army said that those who had entered the Gaza Strip had been "brought back to Israeli territory," adding that it had prevented "dozens" of others from infiltrating through another point on the border, although some had managed to cross the security barriers.

Trump says Netanyahu will 'probably' visit him during the holidays

Donald Trump said last night that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will "probably" visit him in Florida, where he will spend the holidays at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

"We haven't formally arranged it yet, but he would like to see me," the U.S. president said during a press briefing in the Oval Office, adding, "He will probably come see me in Florida."

Many observers consider this meeting crucial, particularly with regard to the possibility of a new Israeli operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Tel Aviv is preparing but would not launch without the green light from the U.S.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of news in Lebanon and the region

We will continue to follow closely events in Lebanon, where Israel continues to violate the cease-fire agreement reached in November 2024, with near-daily strikes in the South and the Bekaa, and a mounting death toll.

In Gaza, Israel also continues to violate the cease-fire agreement reached in October of this year. Recent severe weather conditions have caused the deaths of at least 13 individuals in the last week alone, including at least four children who have died specifically from hypothermia.

We will also cover developments in Syria, where Israel continues its occupation of the south, and of the occupied West Bank, where Israeli state and settler violence against Palestinians continues with impunity.

Mechanism meeting scheduled in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, the second since the appointment of civilian representatives

A new meeting of the "Mechanism" is scheduled for today at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, near the border.

This will be the second meeting since the appointment of Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives to the cease-fire monitoring committee. President Joseph Aoun appointed diplomat and lawyer Simon Karam on Dec. 3, to represent Lebanon.

According to information from journalist Barak Ravid reported by Israel's Channel 12, Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter and Deputy Head of the National Security Council Yossi Dreznin are expected to participate in this second round of talks in Naqoura.

These new talks will take place the day after a meeting at the Élysée Palace devoted to support for the Lebanese Army and the disarmament of Hezbollah, attended by Army Commander Rodolph Haykal and French, U.S. and Saudi representatives.