Toll from Israel's war on Lebanon since March 2: Over 2,000 people killed and 6,436 injured | LIVE

Heavy fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli troops in Bint Jbeil

Heavy battles are ongoing in Bint Jbeil, with clashes between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops taking place since Thursday.

Gunfire and missile strikes can be heard in several neighborhoods, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reports. The Israeli army is also attempting to advance its invasion of southern Lebanon towards Mouthallath al-Tahrir in an attempt to encircle the town.

Israeli fighter jets have also destroyed a building in Abbasieh (Sour). Two strikes targeted Qantara (Marjayoun), whilst one strike targeted Serbine (Bint Jbeil).

Israel kills 97 people and injures 133 injured in Lebanon on Saturday

Israel killed 97 people and injured 133 in Lebanon as of 5 pm on Saturday, according to the daily report from the Grand Serail Risk Management Unit.

Furthermore, the report indicates that 140,678 displaced people are being housed in 684 reception centers, representing a total of 36,811 families. The report also lists 6,814 "hostile acts"carried out by Israel since the start of the war on March 2, 2026.

Five Amal members killed in Teffahta

Five members of the Amal Movement were killed in the Israeli airstrike on Teffahta (Saida), according to information from our correspondent in southern Lebanon. They were identified as Haroun Ali Zbib, Hassan Ahmad Ali, Mohammad Ali Obeid, Abdallah Jamil Nehme, and Malek Mohammad Saleh.

Israeli fighter jets also struck a mosque near the village square in Zrarieh in the Zahrani area, south of Saida. White phosphorus fire was also directed at Tiri (Bint Jbeil), whilst air strikes targeted Arnoun (Nabatieh) and Debaal (Sour).

Israeli strikes on Teffahta kill ten people

Israeli killed ten people Ten people were killed in an attack earlier today in Teffahta (Saida). According to our correspondent from Hadi Kifah Zbib, the victims were Mohammad Hussein Obeid, Hussein Adel Obeid, Mohammad Hammoud, Imad Kanj, Haroun Zbib, Ali Rida Batata, Haitham Rida and Ibrahim Kawtharani, the former mayor of the town.

Hezbollah attacks several torwns in Israel

Hezbollah fired rockets at the town of Safad at 6.15 pm. At 6.45 pm, it launched a barrage of rockets at Israeli Army Camp 100 north of the town of Ayelet HaShahar, striking Nahariya at the same time.

Hezbollah also fired rockets at 7.20 pm on Metula and then at 7.30 pm on Yaron, before launching explosive drones at 9 pm against the Kiryat Shmona barracks.

It also launched an explosive drone at 7.45 pm against a Merkava tank on Ouaida Hill, in the town of Odaisseh (Marjayoun).

Netanyahu: 'Lebanon has asked Israel on several occasions over the past month to begin direct peace negotiations'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Lebanon has asked Israel on several occasions over the past month to begin direct peace negotiations. “I have agreed,” he said in a televised address, adding that two conditions are necessary: the disarmament of Hezbollah and a genuine, lasting peace agreement for future generations. He stated that other countries are also seeking to establish ties with Israel.

Referring to the fight against Iranian-backed armed groups, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Israel’s creation of security zones in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon.

“We will deal with Hamas in Gaza,” he promised. Israel is also dealing with the missiles that Hezbollah still possesses, Netanyahu said.

Update on the situation in southern Lebanon

Israeli air strikes targeted Souaneh (Marjayoun) and Qana (Sour), while an Israeli drone strike targeted the Ali al-Taher area (Nabatiyh), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Israel carried out two further strikes on the village of Srifa (Sour) and an area between Kfar Tibnit and Arnoun (Nabatieh).

Two Israeli soldiers ‘slightly injured’ in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army has announced that two of its soldiers were "slightly injured" during a "close-quarters clash" with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Saturday night, without providing further details on where the fighting took place.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

Beirut MPs back Salam and the government

Several Beirut MPs on Saturday backed the Lebanese government’s decisions aimed at extending the state’s sovereignty, strengthening its exclusive authority over decisions relating to war and peace, and restricting the possession of weapons to legitimate security forces alone. They also reaffirmed their support for the Lebanese government and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Following an extended meeting, these MPs condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanese territory and denounced the civilian casualties among the residents of Beirut. They also declared their full support for the government’s decision to demilitarize Beirut and welcomed the immediate deployment of the army and security forces in the capital.

They further announced that a major conference would be held on Thursday April 16, to be attended by elected representatives from Beirut, representatives of economic bodies, and members of civil society, with the aim of defining a unified position to protect the capital, its infrastructure, and its inhabitants.

War on Lebanon: Latest toll stands at 2,020 killed and 6,436 injured

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the number of casualties resulting from Israeli attacks on Lebanon between March 2 and April 11 now stands at 2,020 killed and 6,436 injured.

Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon

Israel carried out air strikes on Zawtar Gharbieh (Nabatieh), Siddiqine (Sour) and a house in Debbine (Marjayoun). An air strike on Bablieh (Saida) also resulted in minor injuries.

Two members of Hezbollah’s health committee were killed in a drone strike on Jwayya (Sour). A drone strike targeted the area around the government hospital in Tibnin (Bint Jbeil).

Israeli airstrike on Teffahta kills former mayor

An Israeli airstrike that targeted a house, a car, and an ambulance belonging to the Al-Rissala Scouts in Teffahta (Saida) has, according to a report from the Health Ministry, killed eight people and injured nine, five of whom are in a serious condition. Furthermore, our correspondent reports that the former mayor, Ibrahim Kawtharani, is among the victims, along with two members of Al-Rissala.

According to information from our correspondent, Israel carried out several strikes on the town, damaging homes. A drone strike targeting a Rapid-type vehicle killed Kawtharani and another person. When people rushed to the scene, the drone struck again, causing further casualties. Furthermore, Israeli army drones struck two motorbikes near the municipality, killing two people.

Macron stresses the importance of full compliance with the cease-fire, including in Lebanon

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Saturday with his Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian, calling on him to “seize the opportunity presented by the talks launched in Islamabad [Pakistan] to pave the way for a lasting de-escalation,” he stated on X.

As the United States, Iran, and Pakistan began trilateral talks, Emmanuel Macron emphasized to his counterpart “the need for Iran to restore freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, to which France is ready to contribute.” He also “stressed the importance of full respect for the ceasefire, including in Lebanon.”

Hezbollah targets Israeli army positions in Bint Jbeil

Hezbollah continues to target Israeli positions in Bint Jbeil. At 5 pm, for the third time today, it fired a barrage of rockets at the Mouthallath al-Tahrir site in the village. At 5.10 pm, it targeted Israeli army soldiers and vehicles on the outskirts of Bint Jbeil with a barrage of rockets. The militia group claims to have also attacked a Merkava tank near the Al-Ishraq school in Bint Jbeil yesterday, Friday, at 1.45 pm.

Furthermore, Hezbollah fired rockets at 4.30 pm at the Amiad base, north of Lake Tiberias. It then targeted the Israeli town of Metula at 5 pm with explosive drones.

Hezbollah and Amal call on supporters 'not to demonstrate during this critical period'

Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have distanced themselves from the demonstration that took place outside the Grand Serail.

In a joint statement, the two parties called on their supporters “not to demonstrate during this critical period the country is going through ... in order to preserve stability, protect civil peace, and not allow themselves to be drawn into a division sought by the Israeli enemy."

Several casualties from Israeli strike on Teffahta

The Israeli strike which targeted a car in Teffahta killed or injured at least seven people, according to preliminary reports. Two rescue workers from the al-Rissala Scouts, affiliated with the Amal Movement, were also injured whilst attempting to approach the site following the first strike on the town, which was followed by further attacks.

Meanwhile, Israel targeted Babilieh (Saida). Civil defense teams from al-Rissala and the Islamic Health Committee, affiliated with Hezbollah, are currently on the ground to assess whether there are any casualties.

Iran-US talks in Islamabad enter technical phase; extension being considered

Negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad have moved beyond general discussions to address technical aspects, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, which mentions the possibility of a one-day extension, though this has not yet been confirmed.

Following initial exchanges, the delegations have begun a detailed examination of certain issues, now being handled by experts from both sides. Originally scheduled to last a single day, the talks could be extended to allow technical work to continue, an option that remains under consideration at this stage.

The White House has indicated, for its part, that tripartite peace talks between the United States, Iran, and Pakistan are underway in Islamabad, with the participation of full teams of U.S. experts in the relevant fields, reports Reuters. Other experts are also providing support from Washington.

Update on the situation in southern Lebanon

Three missiles were fired by an Israeli military drone at a car in the village of Teffahta (Nabatieh), causing injuries, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon. Residents called on the Civil Defense to come to their aid.

Israel blew up houses in Naqoura (Sour). Plumes of smoke were seen rising above the village.

Meanwhile, Israeli artillery fired white phosphorus shells at Shamaa and Mansouri (Sour). Israel also targeted Debbine (Marjayoun) and Kfour (Nabatieh). A drone strike targeted Jwayya (Sour).

Ali al-Khatib calls for restraint in the face of provocation: ‘We are one people’

The vice-president of the Supreme Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, has called for calm, urging the Lebanese people not to give in to provocation and stating that "we are one people."

In a statement, he said he had held a series of discussions regarding the general situation in the country, emphasizing “the need to preserve civil peace to thwart the enemy’s attempts to stoke internal divisions among the Lebanese.”

The Sheikh called for “avoiding any impulsive reaction and not allowing oneself to be drawn into provocations aimed at destabilizing the domestic scene for the benefit of the Israeli enemy,” pleading for “the utmost wisdom and restraint during this delicate period.”

Israeli strikes in the towns of Marjayoun and Sour

Israeli artillery fire targeted a house in the Al-Ouyoun neighborhood of Jdeidet Marjayoun, as well as the village of Debbine (Marjayoun), causing material damage. Israeli artillery also targeted Mansouri (Sour).

Israel targeted the outskirts of Abbasieh (Sour). In Shamaa (Sour), the Israeli army caused a major explosion, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

'Security services taking measures to maintain security and order,' says the Minister of the Interior

The Interior Minister, Ahmad Hajjar, stated that “the security services are taking measures to maintain security and order, protect state institutions, and ensure the safety of citizens and the capital, Beirut.”

In a statement to al-Jadeed TV, he called for “responsibility, awareness, and unity at this stage,” emphasizing that “the expression of opinion is permitted within the framework of existing laws and regulations.”

Hezbollah strikes Israeli targets in Bint Jbeil and Bayada

Hezbollah launched a rocket barrage at 1.30 pm against Israeli soldiers and military vehicles in the Mouthallas al Tahrir area on the outskirts of Bint Jbeil.

It also fired a rocket barrage at Israeli military vehicles at 3.45 pm in Bayada (Sour).

US ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios; Iran denies this

According to an Axios report citing a U.S. official, several U.S. Navy warships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz as part of an operation to secure commercial shipping. Iran, however, has denied this report, claiming that a U.S. destroyer turned back after receiving a warning.

According to sources cited by Axios, the operation was aimed at reassuring commercial vessels and ensuring their passage through this strategic waterway. It comes as talks between the United States and Iran have begun in Pakistan. “This was an operation focused on freedom of navigation in international waters,” the official said.

For its part, the Iranian news agency Fars reported that a U.S. destroyer, en route from the oil industrial zone of Fujairah, on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, towards the Strait of Hormuz, had turned back following an Iranian warning relayed via Pakistan, as part of the ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran.

According to the Iranian media outlet, Tehran reportedly informed the mediators that the vessel would be targeted “within 30 minutes” if it continued on its course, which could have jeopardized the negotiations. The vessel then reportedly halted its progress and turned back, according to the same source.

Future Movement condemns use of its flags at the protest outside the Grand Serail

The Future Movement has condemned the fact that protesters waved the party’s flag in downtown Beirut during the demonstration against the authorities’ decision to negotiate with Israel.

It also stated that the party had not called on its supporters to take part in this sit-in.

Israel says it carried out more than 200 strikes against Hezbollah targets in past 24 hours

The Israeli army said that it carried out “more than 200 strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon over the past 24 hours.”

In a post on X, the army said its air force continues “targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, while providing aerial support to ground forces deployed in southern Lebanon.”

The Israeli military also said it is continuing to strike “launch platforms in order to prevent rocket fire toward Israeli territory.”

Nawaf Salam postpones his trip to the United States

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he has postponed his trip to the United States.

“Given the current internal situation, and in order to fully carry out my duty to preserve the security of the Lebanese and their unity, I have decided to postpone my trip to the United Nations and the United States in order to follow the government’s work from Beirut,” Nawaf Salam said on X.

Hezbollah attacks four Israeli localities

Hezbollah said it carried out attacks on four Israeli localities. Rocket barrages targeted Avivim at 2:30 p.m., then Yiron and Nahariya at 3:30 p.m., and finally Safed at 3:50 p.m.

The group also said it launched rocket barrages and artillery fire at 2:30 p.m. targeting Israeli soldiers and military vehicles near al-Ishraq School and the Saff al-Hawa area in Bint Jbeil, as well as in the town of Maroun al-Ras.

Protest in downtown Beirut against the Lebanese authorities’ decision to negotiate with Israel

Dozens of protesters have gathered in Riad al-Solh Square, in central Beirut, to demonstrate against the Lebanese authorities’ decision to negotiate with Israel.

The protesters are carrying flags of Hezbollah and Lebanon.

Trump says US is ‘securing’ the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has begun operations to "secure" the Strait of Hormuz and that all Iranian mine-laying ships have been sunk.

“We have begun the process of securing the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote in a post on social media.

Three residents of Mansouri escape village after being trapped under bombardment

Three people, including the mukhtar of Mansouri (Sour district), managed to leave the village and reach the city of Sour after spending several days trapped under bombardment.

According to our correspondent, six people had gone to Mansouri after the announcement of a cease-fire between Iran and Israel, believing it also applied to Lebanon. Upon arrival, they came under artillery fire and airstrikes, preventing them from leaving the area.

The head of the municipality said contact with the group was lost as soon as they entered the village, and their fate remained unknown for several days. Only at dawn on Saturday did three of them, including the mukhtar, manage to escape and reach Sour after surviving in extremely difficult conditions without electricity, water, or communication. Three others remain trapped in the village, with their fate still unknown.

‘Salam must know that ignoring the role of the resistance will expose Lebanon to irreparable security risks,’ warns senior Iranian Supreme Leader adviser

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, sent a message to Beirut specifically targeting Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. “Nawaf Salam must know that ignoring the irreplaceable role of the resistance and the heroic Hezbollah will expose Lebanon to irreparable security risks,” Velayati wrote in a post on X.

He added that “Lebanon’s stability is only possible through synergy between the government and the resistance.”

Aoun chairs security meeting in Baabda

President Joseph Aoun held a meeting at the Baabda Palace attended by Defence Minister Michel Menassa and Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar, focusing on the country’s security situation and measures taken by the army, the Internal Security Forces and other security agencies to reinforce stability and prevent any security breaches.

The meeting also discussed the security plan being implemented in Beirut, particularly regarding the protection of shelters and the safety of those staying in them.

Chinese delegation expected in Islamabad to support mediation efforts, Qatari report says

A source at Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry told the Qatari newspaper al-Araby al-Jadeed that a Chinese delegation is expected to arrive in Islamabad today to help support mediation efforts in the U.S.–Iran negotiations, Haaretz reports.

It was also reported that China could offer compensation if both sides reach an agreement. However, China has not officially confirmed any involvement.

Pakistan has also invited Saudi Arabia to send a diplomatic delegation to observe the talks, the report added.

Trump: ‘A large number of completely empty tankers are heading to the US to load oil’

“A large number of completely empty tankers, among the largest in the world, are currently heading to the United States to load oil (and gas!) anywhere in the world,” Donald Trump said, Reuters reports.

Israeli air force targets moped rider in Qana (Sour)

The rider of a two-wheeler, Hussein Kamal Ghadboun, was killed today in Qana by an Israeli missile, our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah reports.

Israeli airstrikes also hit Qlayleh (Sour) earlier in the afternoon.

Israeli army continues attacks in southern Lebanon, one seriously wounded in Qana, according to our correspondent

An Israeli drone fired missiles at a motorcycle in Deir Qanoun Ras al-Ain (Sour).

Airstrikes also hit Baraachit (Bint Jbeil) as well as Mansouri, Majdel Zoun, Baraachit and Qana (Sour), where one person was seriously wounded.

Israeli artillery also struck Kfar Tebnit and Zawtar al-Gharbieh (Nabatieh).

Iran in Islamabad sets out multiple red lines

“Iran’s red lines include the Strait of Hormuz, the payment of war reparations, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and a ceasefire across the entire region,” an Iranian state TV reporter said, as quoted by Reuters.

Iran’s proposals and red lines have been conveyed to Pakistan’s prime minister, the Iranian state TV reporter said from Islamabad.

Lebanese army warns against ‘any mobilisation that could endanger stability and civil peace’

The Lebanese army warned in a statement against “any mobilisation that could endanger stability and civil peace,” as calls were made for protests on Saturday at 4 p.m. against the authorities’ decision to negotiate with Israel.

“Calls have recently emerged urging citizens to gather and demonstrate in order to achieve several demands. The Army Command, while reaffirming respect for the right to peaceful expression of opinion, strongly warns against any mobilisation that could endanger stability and civil peace or lead to damage to public and private property,” the army said in a statement.

It added that it would “intervene firmly to prevent any threat to internal stability, at a time when Lebanon needs the highest degree of awareness and responsibility.”

The army also urged citizens “to comply with the directives of deployed military units.”

Hezbollah says it destroyed two Merkava tanks in Adaisseh and Bint Jbeil

Hezbollah said it carried out several operations against Israeli army positions and equipment overnight Friday into Saturday and during Saturday.

The group said it targeted and set on fire a Merkava tank at 2 a.m. on the al-Oueida hill in Adaisseh (Marjeyoun). It also said it struck Israeli army infrastructure at 6:30 a.m. in Adamit, as well as a gathering of soldiers and vehicles in Metula in northern Israel.

Finally, it said it targeted another Merkava tank around midday in Bint Jbeil.

3 killed and 3 injured in Toul according to Health Ministry

The Health Ministry said an Israeli strike on Toul (Nabatieh) killed 3 people, including a member of a Hezbollah-linked health authority, and injured 3 others, including a paramedic.

“It is now clear that the Israeli enemy is adopting a systematic approach of treating healthcare workers as military targets, as they are martyred in every rescue operation they undertake, representing a serious persistence in violating international humanitarian law,” the ministry said in a statement.

Washington and Beirut ask Tel Aviv for a ‘pause’ in strikes on Lebanon, Axios reports

The Lebanese government and the Trump administration have asked Israel to observe a “pause” in its attacks on Hezbollah ahead of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon expected to begin next week, Axios reported Friday, citing two sources.

Health Ministry reports 7 killed and 6 injured in Israeli strikes on Kfar Sir and Zefta

The Health Ministry said an Israeli strike on the town of Kfar Sir (Nabatieh) killed 4 people, including a paramedic from a Hezbollah-affiliated health association, and wounded four others.

“The Ministry of Public Health once again condemns the repeated targeting of medical teams and the blatant violation of international humanitarian law, stressing that these acts are being documented in international complaints to preserve the rights of those who sacrifice themselves in humanitarian rescue work,” it said in a statement.

The ministry also said another Israeli strike on the town of Zefta, in the same district, killed 3 people, including a member of Lebanon’s Civil Defense, and wounded two others.

“The ministry reiterates its condemnation of the rising number of victims among healthcare workers, who are killed in the majority of strikes carried out by the Israeli enemy while performing their rescue duties,” it added in a second statement.

US has not agreed to release frozen Iranian assets, CBS News source says

The United States has not agreed to release any frozen Iranian assets, a senior U.S. official told CBS News, denying earlier media reports cited by Reuters.

Vice President J.D. Vance held a bilateral meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, but negotiations have not yet begun and no agreement has been discussed.

The U.S. delegation includes J.D. Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Pakistani delegation includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

Iran–US negotiations: Pakistan’s prime minister meets JD Vance and the Iranian delegation

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he met U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance as talks with Iran aimed at ending the war in the Middle East “began” Saturday in Islamabad, AFP reports.

“As the Islamabad talks got underway, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with JD Vance,” the Pakistani government said in a statement. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, were also present, it added.

According to Iranian state television, the Iranian delegation in Islamabad also met Sharif, whose country is playing a mediating role.

In the statement, Sharif praised “the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively,” expressing hope that “these talks will serve as a springboard for lasting peace in the region.”

Iran–US talks: Iranian delegation meets Pakistan’s prime minister

The Iranian delegation due to hold talks on Saturday in Islamabad with the U.S. side to end the war in the Middle East has begun a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country is acting as mediator, Iranian state television reported.

The format and arrangements for the Iran–U.S. discussions, whose agenda and structure are not yet known, will be defined after this meeting, the broadcaster added.

Iran will decide after the meeting whether it wishes to proceed with the talks on Saturday, Iranian news agency Fars reported, saying that “new messages” had been exchanged between Iran and the United States on Friday evening.

Iran says it has set two preconditions for the talks: “a cease-fire in Lebanon,” where Israel is conducting a deadly campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah, and “the unfreezing of Iranian assets.”

Drone crashes near US diplomats in Baghdad on Wednesday

A drone crashed Wednesday inside the perimeter of Baghdad International Airport, near U.S. diplomats accompanying a journalist who had been released after a kidnapping, an Iraqi security official told AFP.

The U.S. State Department said Thursday it had summoned the Iraqi ambassador to denounce “horrific terrorist attacks” attributed to Iran-backed armed factions against U.S. interests, including an “ambush on April 8 against U.S. diplomats in Baghdad.”

Update on the situation in southern Lebanon:

Israeli airstrikes targeted Khiam (Marjeyoun), a house in Chebaa (Hasbaya), and the village of Mansouri (Sour).

Israeli warplanes also carried out a raid on Abba (Nabatieh).

An Israeli drone struck Burj Qalawieh (Bint Jbeil).

Washington agrees to release Iran’s frozen assets “held in Qatar and other foreign banks,” Iranian source says

The United States has agreed to release Iran’s frozen assets “held in Qatar and other foreign banks,” a senior Iranian source told Reuters.

The measure is “directly linked to guaranteeing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz” ahead of any lasting peace agreement, the source said.

According to the source, Tehran sees this as a sign of seriousness toward a durable peace deal.

Israeli army calls to evacuate Abbassieh in Sour, according to our correspondent

Lebanon’s civil defence in Abbassieh (Sour) said it received a phone call from Israel ordering residents to immediately evacuate their homes.

About an hour ago, airstrikes hit Bint Jbeil, Qantara (Marjeyoun), as well as Arabsalim, Ain Qana and Yohmor al-Chqif (Nabatieh).

A heavy explosion was also heard in the vicinity of Markaba (Marjeyoun).

Israeli aircraft also broke the sound barrier four times over the country during the funerals of security personnel killed yesterday in raids on Nabatieh.

4 killed and 2 injured among Hezbollah rescue workers this morning in a raid on Kfar Sir, according to our correspondent

Israeli strikes on Kfar Sir (Nabatieh district) this morning targeted the Hezbollah rescue headquarters, killing 4 people and injuring 2 rescue workers.

Separately, Israeli aircraft also struck Jibchit again in the same day.

Internet blackout in Iran reaches 1,000 hours

Digital monitoring organization NetBlocks said Iran’s internet blackout has lasted more than 1,000 hours, in a post on X.

While Iran’s national intranet remains operational — supporting local messaging apps, banking platforms and other services — access to the global internet has been heavily restricted since early February.

⚡ Lebanon: Israel says it will not discuss a cease-fire with Hezbollah

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, told his Lebanese counterpart in Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, that he “refuses to discuss a cease-fire with the terrorist organization Hezbollah,” according to a statement issued after a meeting, AFP reports.

Israel “has agreed to begin formal peace negotiations” with the Lebanese government, with which it has no diplomatic relations, the Israeli ambassador said.

The Lebanese presidency said a meeting will be held on Tuesday at the U.S. State Department “to discuss the declaration of a cease-fire and the date for the start of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under U.S. auspices.”

Gaza: Civil defence reports 7 killed in Israeli strikes

Gaza’s civil defence agency said seven people were killed in Israeli strikes in the central part of the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by two years of war and where a fragile ceasefire is in place, AFP reports.

“At around 01:40 a.m. on Saturday (22:40 GMT Friday),” 7 people were killed and several others wounded, “including four in critical condition,” after an Israeli drone fired two missiles near a police post in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, said Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the first responders operating under the authority of the Hamas-run authorities.

Al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza said it received the bodies of 6 people, “as well as 7 injured, including four in critical condition due to direct impacts to the face, chest and other parts of the body.” According to the hospital, the strikes targeted “a gathering of displaced civilians near a mosque.”

A nearby hospital, Al-Awda, said it received one body and two injured people.

Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army said it was “verifying” the reports.

Pakistan says it hopes Iran and the United States will participate “constructively”

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he hopes Iran and the United States will “participate constructively” in the peace talks set to take place in Islamabad to end the war in the Middle East, AFP reports.

The minister also “reiterated Pakistan’s desire to help the parties reach a lasting solution to the conflict,” according to a statement released shortly after the arrival of the US delegation.

Hezbollah continues its attacks against Israel

Despite a decrease in armed exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel overnight, the party claimed several attacks overnight and this morning against Israel and its army.

Hezbollah said it carried out a kamikaze drone attack in Lebanon at 1:40 a.m. targeting Israeli soldiers positioned inside a house in Chamaa (Sour district), stating that it directly hit its target.

The movement also claimed several overnight attacks inside Israel: at 12:40 a.m., it targeted the localities of Kiryat Shmona, Metula and Misgav Am with rocket barrages. At 1:15 a.m., it struck Israeli military infrastructure in Safed, in northern Israel, with rocket fire.

In the morning, Hezbollah claimed a rocket barrage at 6:20 a.m. against the Ya’ara barracks in northern Israel, as well as another attack targeting Israeli soldiers and vehicles in Kiryat Shmona.

Funerals today for the 13 security personnel killed yesterday Nabatieh by Israeli strikes

Credit: Muntasser Abdallah/ L’Orient Today

The bereaved families are awaiting the arrival of the bodies in Saida.

The funerals of the 13 members of the security forces who were killed Friday in Nabatieh during Israeli strikes will take place today at the government Serail in the city of Saida, according to our correspondent. The grieving families are already on site.

In southern Lebanon, a quieter night than previous ones

Last night in southern Lebanon was less intense than previous days, although Israeli strikes were still recorded. Update from our correspondent in the region:

Up until midnight, Israeli aircraft targeted 39 localities in southern Lebanon; drones struck 18 targets in 18 villages, and 19 localities were subjected to heavy artillery shelling.

Before midnight, an Israeli drone carried out a strike targeting the town of Kfar Rummane (Nabatieh). During the night, one raid hit Khiam (Marjayoun), and another hit Qsaibeh (Nabatieh), accompanied by overflights over the Nabatieh district.

US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Pakistan

U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan today to hold peace talks with Iran, a Pakistani source told Reuters.

Israeli air force intensifies strikes this morning in South Lebanon, where at least 5 people have been killed

Israeli aircraft targeted a house in Tebnine, near the government hospital (Bint Jbeil district), and earlier, an Israeli drone struck shops in Kfar Rummane (Nabatieh).

In the city of Nabatieh, Israeli air raids targeted several homes in the nuns’ neighborhood (Hay al-Rahibat). A three-story building was destroyed and nearby houses were damaged.

Two people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Zefta, between Zahrani and Nabatieh.

Earlier, around 4 a.m., Israeli aircraft bombed several houses in Mayfadoun (Nabatieh), killing three people. A raid also struck a home in Toul (Nabatieh district). An ambulance arriving at the scene was targeted by a drone, leaving several people injured.

An airstrike also hit neighborhood electricity generators in Jibsheet (Nabatieh), causing a fire in the generators and fuel tanks.

Iran has set two conditions for negotiations, including a cease-fire in Lebanon

Leading a delegation of more than 70 people, the influential Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived in Pakistan on last evening, AFP reports.

“We have good intentions, but we do not trust,” Ghalibaf said upon arrival in Islamabad. Past negotiations with the United States have always ended in “failures and broken promises,” he added, as quoted by Iranian state television.

Iran says it has set two preconditions for negotiations: “a cease-fire in Lebanon” and “the unfreezing of Iran’s assets,” Ghalibaf stressed.

JD Vance en route to Pakistan for talks with Iran

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is on his way to Pakistan, where negotiations between the United States and Iran are set to begin today, Saturday, in a climate of mutual distrust, AFP reports.

Having departed Friday, JD Vance is expected to land in Islamabad, now a heavily secured “ghost city,” to lead the U.S. delegation, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump.

First phone contact between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington

The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington held their first phone conversation yesterday, the first official contact between the two countries since 1983. The Lebanese presidency released a statement on the matter.

“Based on the initiative launched by the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, which relies on diplomatic action through the announcement of a cease-fire and the opening of direct negotiations with Israel, and following recent international and Arab contacts led by President Aoun in response to escalating Israeli attacks against Lebanon, the U.S. administration has decided to task the State Department with mediating between Lebanon and Israel,” the presidency said.

Welcome to our live coverage

Welcome to our live coverage of the negotiations in Islamabad between the United States and Iran, two days after a fragile two-week cease-fire came into effect, while the war continues in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel. Direct negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv are set to begin next Tuesday in Washington.

➡️ Access Friday’s live coverage here.