West Bank: UN chief calls on Israel to 'immediately reverse' its land measures
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to "immediately reverse" its new land measures in the West Bank, in a statement issued by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Monday, reports AFP.
"Such measures, including Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, are not only destabilizing but, as the International Court of Justice has reiterated, illegal," he said, adding that "the current trajectory on the ground erodes the prospect of a two-state solution."
Israel kills one in strike on Tallousa, southern Lebanon
The man Israel targeted in an airstrike on Tallousam (Marjayoun) has succumbed to his injuries, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Israeli airstrike targets vehicle in Marjayoun, South Lebanon
Photo sent by our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Muntasser Abdallah.
An Israeli drone has targeted a car in the village of Tallousa (Marjayoun), injuring one person critically, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Army Chief Rodolph Haykal requests 4 to 8 months for the second phase of disarmament
L'Orient Today has learned that, during his presentation to ministers gathered at the Baabda Presidential Palace on the second phase of the disarmament plan, Army Chief Rodolph Haykal requested four to eight months to complete this task. Although Haykal had promised last January to present his vision for this second phase to the Cabinet in February, he said on Monday that it had already begun through measures taken by the military north of the Litani River.
A source close to the matter said that the army chief would take a soft approach with Hezbollah, which argues that the cease-fire agreement with Israel only provides for disarmament south of the river.
L'Orient Today also learned that the ministers of the Amal-Hezbollah tandem "did not adopt a negative attitude" during Haykal's presentation, but asked for "certain clarifications," according to an informed source.
Qassem calls on government to halt its arms monopoly plan
Naim Qassem also called on the government to "put an end to any initiative entitled 'monopoly on weapons'." "The government's performance is responsible for the enemy's covetousness" regarding Lebanon, he accused. He further suggested that the executive branch "meet regularly to discuss a plan and timetable for achieving sovereignty" in the country.
Qassem rejects 'unconditional concessions' and calls for national unity
In his speech, Naim Qassem again refused to allow his party to "make gratuitous concessions."
However, he stated that he was in favor of "Lebanese national unity, full sovereignty, and the liberation and strengthening of the Lebanese Army" and opposed "discord."
Naim Qassem reiterates: We don't want war, but are ready to defend ourselves
Naim Qassem reiterated that his movement "does not want war," but insisted that, "we will not surrender and we are ready to defend ourselves."
He said that "the state bears full responsibility for achieving sovereignty and responding" to Israeli attacks and added that "what the Lebanese government is doing by focusing on disarmament is a serious mistake and serves the objectives of Israeli aggression."
'Every occupation requires resistance,' says Qassem, calling on 'the state, the army, and the people' to take action
Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem said that "every occupation requires resistance to expel it, and that the responsibility for this resistance lies with the state, the army, and the people," as the Israeli army continues to occupy several positions in southern Lebanon.
"Everyone is responsible for resisting the occupation in order to liberate the land," he insisted, as Hezbollah has been urging the Lebanese authorities to take action against Israel's violations of the cease-fire in place since November 2024.
In his speech, the party leader paid tribute to his predecessors killed by Israel, stressing that "when leaders fell as martyrs, other leaders took their place, then fell in turn, and still others succeeded them: there is always someone to take over."
In Baabda, Cabinet meeting opens as Naim Qassem delivers speech
The Cabinet meeting, during which the army command is to brief the Lebanese government on the progress of its plan to regain control of the arms industry, began in the Baabda Presidential Palace.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Beirut was ready to "expand its role" within the "mechanism," the committee overseeing the implementation of the November 2024 cease-fire, particularly regarding disarmament oversight.
Simultaneously, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem delivered a speech paying tribute to the party's "martyred commanders."
The Lebanese Army's high command is to present the Salam government with the second phase of its plan to restore state control of the arms industry.
Following its implementation south of the Litani River, this plan is to extend to the area between the Litani and Awali Rivers.
While Hezbollah has agreed to hand over its weapons and dismantle its arsenal in the first area of implementation of the army's plan, namely along the border with Israel, it refuses to do so in the rest of the country, stating that it rejects any disarmament as long as the Israeli army continues to strike Lebanon daily, occupy several positions in the South and imprison about 20 Lebanese, including nine civilians.
Iran believes the US position on nuclear issue has become 'more realistic'
On the eve of new talks with Washington, the Iranian government has stated that the United States has softened its stance on the nuclear issue.
"In light of the discussions" that took place in early February in Oman, "we can cautiously conclude that the American position on the Iranian nuclear issue has become more realistic," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, quoted by the IRNA news agency.
Iran defends its right to civilian nuclear power, particularly for energy, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to which it is a signatory.
West Bank: EU urges Israel to reverse its land policies
The European Union has urged Israel to abandon its new land acquisition measures in the West Bank, criticizing a "new escalation" in the region.
"The Israeli decision constitutes a new escalation ... We reiterate that the annexation [of the West Bank] is illegal under international law. We call on Israel to reverse this decision," responded European Commission spokesman Anwar El Anouni.
Iran: Revolutionary Guards begin exercises in the Strait of Hormuz
The Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, began military exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to Iranian state television, on the eve of nuclear talks with the United States in Geneva.
This exercise, the duration of which has not been specified, aims to prepare the guards “for potential security and military threats” in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian television indicated, while the United States has deployed an imposing naval force in the Gulf.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 percent of world oil production passes.
South Lebanon: Lebanese Army prepares redeployment to Aita al-Shaab
The Lebanese Army is working to maintain the road leading to the hill known as “al-Hadab” in Aita al-Shaab, where it previously had a military position, in anticipation of its redeployment in the village, according to our correspondent in the South.
Furthermore, an Israeli army drone carried out a “warning” strike near an excavator in Maaroub (Sour), without causing any casualties.
Cabinet on Disarmament: Hezbollah minister rules out withdrawal of Shiite ministers
Ahead of this government meeting, Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar (Hezbollah), ruled out in a statement to L'Orient-Le Jour, a withdrawal of the ministers of the Hezbollah-Amal alliance from the government session at the time of the discussion of the second phase of the disarmament plan.
“Like last time, we will listen to the army chief and advise during the meeting,” he said.
For his part, a source close to the Serail indicated that contacts took place before the session to avoid tensions within the government.
“Everyone is aware that in the current context, Lebanon does not have the luxury of making whims,” underlined this source, affirming that “in certain issues, there will be no compromise."
In addition to disarmament, the government is under pressure to address the issue of civil service salaries.
Lebanon: Govt briefed in afternoon on second phase of disarmament
The chief of the Lebanese Army must present to the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at 3 p.m. the second phase of its plan to recover the arms monopoly from the hands of the state.
This plan must, after its application to the south of the Litani, extend to the area between the Litani and the Awali rivers.
If Hezbollah has agreed to hand over its weapons and dismantle its arsenal in the first area of application of the army's plan, i.e. along the border with Israel, it refuses to do so in the rest of the country, saying it rejects any disarmament as long as the Israeli army continues to strike Lebanon daily, occupy several positions in the South and keeps around twenty people in detention.
It is in this context that the leader of the party, Naim Qassem, is due to deliver a speech at 3:30 p.m., in parallel with Cabinet planned in the Baabda Presidential Palace.
Van driver killed in Hanine: Israeli army says targeted Hezbollah member working on infrastructure reconstruction
The Israeli army issued a statement on the strike it carried out in the morning in Hanine, in southern Lebanon, which killed a school van driver before he began his tour.
She said she had “eliminated a Hezbollah member” who was working on “rebuilding military infrastructure” for the party in southern Lebanon.
In her text, the army's Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Ella Waouia, indicated that last week, "the forces of the 91st division eliminated three other members who were working on the reconstruction of infrastructure" of Hezbollah, and "destroyed several buildings and construction equipment" used for "terrorist purposes" against Israel.
Israeli airstrike in Majdal Anjar, Bekaa: Targeted vehicle was a Syrian taxi
The car that was bombed last night by Israel in Majdal Anjar, Bekaa Valley, in an airstrike that killed four people, was a Syrian-registered taxi, according to information from our correspondent.
The driver, a Syrian national, was killed in the attack, as were three Palestinians who were in the vehicle. They have not yet been identified, and DNA tests are underway.
Iranian nuclear program: Araghchi arrives in Geneva, where he is also scheduled to meet with IAEA chief
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Geneva, where a new round of negotiations with the United States on Iran's nuclear program is set to begin, Iranian state television reported.
Alongside these talks, Araghchi is scheduled to meet with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, his Ministry and state television announced.
Occupied West Bank: Condemnation in Arab World following Israeli land measures
The Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Qatar denounced last night the Israeli government's adoption of new land measures that strengthen its control over the West Bank, the latest decision raising fears of annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory.
A week after approving legislation facilitating land purchases by settlers, the Israeli security cabinet gave its approval on Sunday to the launch of a land registration process, the first such move since the 1967 occupation, according to Israeli military radio.
Speaking on X, the Palestinian Authority's foreign minister said he "strongly condemns [this decision] and rejects any attempt to designate West Bank land as 'public territory' under the control of the occupying force."
He deemed the new measures "legally invalid" and tantamount to "the de facto beginning of an annexation process."
Egypt "condemns in the strongest terms" these announcements, which it considers "a dangerous escalation aimed at consolidating Israeli control" over the West Bank and a violation of international agreements, the government stated on X.
Also on X, Qatari diplomacy denounced the measures, which it considers "an extension of [Israel's] plans to deprive the Palestinian people of their rights."
New anti-government slogans chanted in Iran after large rallies abroad
Residents of Tehran chanted slogans against the authorities from their windows and rooftops yesterday, following large rallies against the Islamic Republic by Iranians living abroad, AFP reports.
In the Ekbatan district of the capital, Iranians shouted "Death to Khamenei," "Death to the Islamic Republic" and "Long live the Shah," according to the social network Sharak Ekbatan, which tracks local news.
The Persian-language television channel Iran International, based outside the country, also broadcast images of people chanting "This is the final battle, Pahlavi is returning" and "Death to the guardians," referring to the Islamic Republic's ideological army, the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Slogans hostile to the authorities were also chanted in other cities, including Shiraz in the south and Arak in the center of the country, she said.
Trump to send Witkoff, Kushner to Geneva this week to discuss Tehran's nuclear program with Iranian negotiators
White House envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will travel to Geneva this week to discuss Tehran's nuclear program with Iranian negotiators, the White House confirmed yesterday.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to AFP that the two men, Trump's chief negotiators with Iran, would represent Washington at the talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will represent Tehran, his ministry said earlier.
He will also meet with his Swiss and Omani counterparts, as well as the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
According to Tehran, these "indirect" talks will be held on Tuesday under the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman.
South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike on school van kills driver in Hanine
A man, identified as the driver of a school van, who was about to start to leave for work, was killed this morning in an Israeli drone strike in Hanine, in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, according to sources contacted by our local correspondent.
According to these reports, the vehicle was parked in front of a building when it was targeted.
The Israeli army, for its part, claimed responsibility for striking "a Hezbollah saboteur" in Hanine via a message posted on X by its Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Ella Waouia.
Furthermore, Israeli soldiers infiltrated the area between Aita al-Shaab and Ramaya (Bint Jbeil) at dawn and demolished a house, according to our correspondent.
On Sunday evening, after a relatively calm day, the Israeli army targeted a vehicle in the Majdal Anjar area of the Bekaa Valley, near the Masnaa border crossing, killing four people, according to our correspondent in the region.
The deputy spokesperson for the Israeli army stated on X that the attack had targeted members of Islamic Jihad.
Good morning. We are now launching our LIVE coverage of news from the Middle East.
We will be following the evolving tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as the situation in southern Lebanon and Gaza, which continue to be bombarded by Israel despite cease-fires.
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