Israel injures 6 in Nabatieh; Hezbollah says 'it's in Lebanon's interest to abandon direct negotiations' | LIVE

Corniche Mazraa: Closure of road after discovery of suspicious bag

Security forces closed a road in the Corniche Mazraa district following the discovery of a suspicious bag, before carrying out a controlled detonation, according to several local media. It later turned out to be a bag of clothes, containing no explosive material.

The National News Agency, for its part, limited itself to relaying a press release from the traffic management center indicating that traffic had been diverted in the sector “due to security measures.”

'Continued cease-fire violations' by US constitute obstacle to continuation of diplomatic process, Tehran tells Islamabad

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar that the United States' "continued cease-fire violations" pose a major obstacle to the continuation of the diplomatic process, according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement released Monday.

In a phone call, Araghchi told Dar that Iran, after taking into account all aspects of the issue, will decide what measures to take.

New Israeli blasting in south LebanonNew Israeli blasting in south Lebanon

Israeli troops carried out further dynamiting in Khiam (Marjayoun district). The detonations were heard even in neighboring villages, reports our correspondent.

Arms monopoly: Issa reaffirms US support to Aoun and Berri

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut stated on its X account that “Ambassador Michel Issa met today with President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, following meetings in Washington with President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and other senior officials.”

“Ambassador Issa reaffirmed U.S. support for efforts to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and the state’s arms monopoly,” the embassy added.

Trump says he will only lift the blockade if there is an 'agreement' with Iran

Donald Trump stated on Monday on his Truth Social network that he would only lift the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports if there were a "deal" with Iran.

"The blockade, which we will not lift until there is a deal, is absolutely destroying Iran. They are losing $500 million a day, a figure that is unsustainable for them, even in the short term," the U.S. president wrote in a message that harshly criticized the U.S. media's coverage of the war.

Maritime traffic paralyzed again in the Strait of Hormuz

Maritime traffic came to a standstill again on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran and Washington each imposed a separate blockade, with Iranian ships continuing to test the American blockade.

Iran reversed its decision on Saturday to reopen this strategic waterway, reigniting tensions with the United States before the end of the ceasefire, which theoretically expires Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, Tehran time.

Since Sunday, only four ships have made the crossing in either direction, according to the maritime tracking company Kpler, while U.S. forces have ordered 27 ships to turn back or return to an Iranian port during the same period.

Iran has stated that the continued U.S. blockade of its ports, despite having announced the reopening of the strait on Friday, was the reason behind resuming its "strict control" of Hormuz.

Lebanese Foreign Ministry condemns alleged Hezbollah attack from Syria

The Lebanese Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement condemning "the attempts to destabilize and disrupt public order in the Syrian Arab Republic, revealed on April 19, 2026, by the Syrian Interior Ministry."

The Bustros Palace is referring to the alleged "sabotage cell" linked to "Hezbollah and loyalists of the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad," which Syrian security forces accused of "preparing an attack from Syrian territory against targets located outside the borders" in the Quneitra province, which borders Israel. The party denied these accusations and reiterated that it has "no presence on Syrian soil." “

The Ministry thus expressed its solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic and emphasized its absolute rejection of any involvement of Lebanese in any attack on the security and territorial integrity of Syria.”

Lebanon: War with Israel claims 2,387 lives, according to a new official toll

Lebanese authorities announced Monday that the war with Israel, which began in early March and is subject to a fragile cease-fire, has claimed 2,387 lives in six weeks. According to the disaster management center, 7,602 people have been injured during the same period.

Since the truce came into effect on Friday, authorities and rescue workers have recovered bodies from the rubble of buildings in areas that were subjected to intense Israeli airstrikes. In its last official toll, published Friday, the Ministry reported 2,294 dead and 7,544 wounded.

Qaaqiyet al-Jisr: Israeli strike death toll rises to six

According to the Health Ministry, the Israeli strike in Qaaqiyet al-Jisr (Nabatieh district) injured six people.

Earlier, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported three injured.

Israel establishes new observation post on the Shebaa Heights, reports our correspondent

The Israeli army has established a new observation post in the area known as Sedaneh, on the heights above the border village of Shebaa (Hasbaya district), reports our correspondent.

This strategic position, located between Shebaa and Kfar Shuba, allows Israeli troops to command several hills, valleys, and villages in the Hasbaya and Arqoub regions.

Israeli artillery fire against several villages near the Litani River

The Israeli army fired twelve artillery shells in a matter of minutes against the villages of Deir Siryan, al-Hujeir and Slouqi, on the south bank of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, reports our correspondent.

South Lebanon: Israel claims it 'eliminated terrorists' who 'violated cease-fire agreements'

The Israeli army stated that the 98th and 36th Divisions are continuing their operations "to prevent any direct threat against settlements in northern Israel."

"In two separate incidents, forces from the Paratroopers Brigade identified terrorists earlier today in the Bint Jbeil area who violated the cease-fire agreements, operated within the area of ​​the forward defense line, and approached forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat," the army said.

In a second incident, forces from the Golani Brigade claim to have identified "terrorists in the Litani area who violated the cease-fire agreements and approached forces in a manner that posed an immediate threat," according to the Israeli army.

In both cases, the army claims to have "struck and eliminated the terrorists."

The Israeli army states that it will continue to operate in order to "clear the area under its control and eliminate any threat to Israeli civilians and its forces."

Lebanese Army announces completion of replacement bridge at Tayr Filsey

The Lebanese Army announced on X that it has "completed the construction of a replacement bridge for the Tayr Filsey bridge [Sour district]," carried out in cooperation with the Public Works and Transport Ministry and the Litani River Authority. It specified that traffic is now open.

Israeli army sets fire to ambulances at Amal civil defense center in Mais al-Jabal

An Israeli army unit entered the Imam al-Sadr sports complex, located in the Doubieh district of the border village of Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun district), in southern Lebanon, where its troops set fire to ambulances belonging to the al-Rissala Scouts civil defense (affiliated with the Amal movement), reports our correspondent.

Soldier killed in Lebanon, warning shots fired at a ship in Hormuz: 'France was not specifically targeted,' says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated on Monday that Hezbollah was responsible for the killing of a French soldier serving with UNIFIL, but maintained that he was not targeted because of his French nationality.

"It was Hezbollah that, in fact, targeted our soldiers... They did not target them because they were French. They targeted them because they were carrying out their mission to stand alongside the civilian population," the French president declared at a press conference in Gdansk, Poland.

He also stated that the warning shots fired from the Iranian coast toward a CMA CGM ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday were not related to the fact that the ship flew the French flag.

New Israeli bombings in Shamaa

The Israeli army carried out new detonations in the village of Shamaa (Sour district), targeted for the second time today by this type of operation, reports our correspondent in the South.

Tehran is considering participating in talks scheduled in Pakistan

Iran is considering participating in peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, following Islamabad's efforts to end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, which Tehran considers a major obstacle to resuming negotiations.

The official stressed, however, that no decision had yet been made regarding the Iranian delegation's participation in this second round of talks, as Iranian state television had already reported on Monday.

Adding to the uncertainty, another source told Reuters that Vice President JD Vance was still in the United States, thus denying reports that he was already en route to Islamabad for the talks.

More details on the Israeli strike in Qaaqiyet al-Jisr

The Israeli strike in Qaaqiyet al-Jisr hit three young men who were near a vehicle, according to our correspondent in the South.

The victims were wounded and transported by ambulances from the al-Risala Scouts Association. The vehicle at the scene was also damaged.

Talks with Iran: US delegation to leave for Pakistan 'soon'

A U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance will leave for Pakistan "soon" to hold talks with Iran, a source close to the matter told AFP on Monday.

This information comes shortly after President Donald Trump told the New York Post on Monday that U.S. negotiators were already en route, and while Tehran maintains it has not yet decided on resuming talks.

Soldier killed in Lebanon, warning shots fired at a boat in Hormuz: 'France was not specifically targeted,' says French President Emmanuel Macron

Israeli explosion in Qusseir, Marjayoun

(Credit: Photo sent by our correspondent)

The Israeli army carried out a major explosion in the village of Qusseir (Marjayoun district), reports our correspondent in the South.

Israeli strike in Nabatieh district: 6 injured

An Israeli drone carried out two strikes against a car in Qaaqiyet al-Jisr (Nabatieh district), injuring six people, according to our correspondent in the South.

New Israeli demolitions in south Lebanon

The Israeli army has once again demolished buildings in the village of Taybeh (Marjayoun district) and in the town of Bint Jbeil, reports our correspondent in the region.

These two localities are among the dozens of villages occupied by Israeli troops beyond the "Yellow Line" that Tel Aviv is trying to impose de facto in southern Lebanon.

Trump denies being pressured into war against Iran by Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump asserted Monday in a message on his Truth Social network that he was not persuaded to attack Iran by Israel, responding to press reports indicating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had significantly influenced his decision.

"Israel never pressured me to go to war with Iran. It was the consequences of Oct. 7, coupled with my lifelong belief that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, that did it," he wrote.

Trump also claimed that "the results in Iran will be incredible" in this message, published as the United States prepared to resume negotiations in Pakistan, while Iran remained undecided. "And if Iran's new leaders (regime change!) are smart, Iran can have a great and prosperous future!" he added.

Saddi says Israeli map of 'naval defense zone' does not affect 2022 maritime agreement

Energy Minister Joe Saddi told Reuters that a map published by the Israeli military, showing a "forward naval defense zone" extending from the Lebanese coastline into the sea, has no impact on the maritime border agreed upon between Lebanon and Israel in 2022.

"From a legal standpoint, this map does not change the fact that there is a maritime delimitation agreement," he stated. "Quite simply, the agreement is in effect and nothing changes."

Israeli army continues its demolitions in Shamaa

Israeli troops have carried out two new demolition operations in the village of Shamaa (Sour district), in southern Lebanon, reports our correspondent.

Hezbollah believes Aoun should 'renounce any direct negotiations' with Israel, and asserts that it will break the 'yellow line'

Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah told AFP that the party supports "the continuation of the 10-day truce" with Israel, which is set to expire at the end of the week, but simultaneously demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

He stated that his party will break the "yellow line," which delineates the "buffer zone" that Tel Aviv wants to impose de facto along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, and whose route was officially established on Sunday by the Israeli army. "We will break this yellow line through resistance... by asserting our legitimate right to defend ourselves and our country," he said.

The MP from Bint Jbeil also stated that President Joseph Aoun should "renounce any direct negotiations" with Israel, while asserting that "no one, in Lebanon or abroad," will be able to disarm the militia.

Two bodies found under rubble of Qasmieh bridge, destroyed by Israel

The bodies of two persons, identified as Salim al-Moghrabi and Mohammad al-Jamal, were recovered from under the rubble of the Qasmieh bridge which was targeted by an Israeli airstrike on the last day of the war, our correspondent in the South reported citing a medic.

The Marine rescue teams in Sour excavated the road in coordination with the teams of the al-Risala Association and the public works teams of the municipality of Burj Rahhal. During the excavation, a Mercedes car was found with the two bodies inside it.

Southern Lebanon: Israel fires artillery shells on Houla

Israeli artillery shells have targeted Houla (Marjayoun), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon. The shells landed on the Sawan neighborhood in the southern part of the village.

Mapped out: Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory along its southern border

Negotiations with Israel: Aoun confirms the Lebanese delegation will be led by Simon Karam

President Joseph Aoun has confirmed that the delegation tasked with negotiating with Israel will be led by former ambassador Simon Karam, who had previously been responsible for talks with the Israelis as part of the "Mechanism" for monitoring the cease-fire established in November 2024.

“The bilateral negotiations will be conducted on behalf of Lebanon by a delegation led by Ambassador Simon Karam, and no one will participate in this mission in his place or act as his substitute,” Aoun stated during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, according to remarks reported by the presidency.

He emphasized that these negotiations would aim to “end hostilities, end the Israeli occupation of areas in the south, and deploy the army to the internationally recognized southern borders.” He further stated that these talks should “enjoy the broadest possible national support to enable the negotiating team to achieve the desired objectives.”

For more details on who Simon Karam is, you can refer to our profile "Who is Simon Karam, Lebanon's civil representative in negotiations with Israel?" from the archives here.

Iran questions the US’s ‘seriousness’ regarding the diplomatic process

On Monday, the Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry questioned the U.S.’s seriousness regarding its willingness to pursue the diplomatic route, citing "violations" of the current cease-fire.

"While claiming diplomacy and readiness for negotiations, the U.S. is carrying out behaviors that do not in any way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process," said ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai in a weekly press briefing.

"As of now, while I am at your service, we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard," said Baghai.

Read more on this here.

Another body found from under the rubble from Israeli airstrike on Sour on eve of cease-fire

Another body has been found under the rubble of one of the buildings bombed by Israel just minutes before the cease-fire came into effect, during the night of Thursday to Friday, bringing the toll from that strike to 19 people killed, according to our correspondent. Four other people remain missing.

Israel blows up houses in Beit Yahoun and Tiri, southern Lebanon

The Israel military has blown up several houses in Beit Yahoun, as well as a neighborhood in Tiri (Bint Jbeil) our correspondent in the region reports.

Southern Lebanon: Israeli army claims it struck a ‘launch pad’ in Qalaouieh

The Israeli army announced it had struck a launch pad overnight that was “loaded and ready for use” in Qalaouieh (Bint Jbeil), in southern Lebanon, north of the "Yellow Line" it seeks to establish.

Iran vows to ‘retaliate soon’ over US seizure of a cargo ship

Iran has vowed to ‘retaliate soon’ following the U.S. Navy’s seizure of one of its cargo ships, which was attempting to breach the U.S.-imposed blockade of Iranian ports. “The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will retaliate soon and take retaliatory measures against this act of armed piracy and against the U.S. military,” the spokesperson for the Iranian General Staff wrote on Telegram. He accused the U.S. of having “violated the cease-fire” that had been in place for two weeks since April 8.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday on his Truth Social network that the U.S. Navy had fired on the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Sea of Oman — a vessel targeted by U.S. Treasury sanctions — and had taken control of it. Iran had lifted its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Friday — through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas trade normally passes — but announced on Saturday that it was resuming “strict control” of the strait in response to the U.S. decision to maintain its blockade of Iranian ports.

Israeli army carries out demolitions in multiple south Lebanon villages overnight

Overnight, Israeli forces conducted controlled explosions in several villages as part of efforts to establish the buffer zone. Demolitions were reported in Qantara and Rab al-Thalatine (Marjayoun district), as well as Rshaf (Bint Jbeil) and Bayada (Sour).

Since the morning, Israeli drones have been flying intensively over numerous towns and villages in southern Lebanon, as well as Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Israeli army warns against entering 'buffer zone' in south Lebanon and Bekaa

The Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, warned residents not to move into villages located within or along the “security zone” it aims to establish in southern Lebanon and eastern Bekaa.

In a message accompanied by a map — similar to one released the previous day — he urged people not to travel south of the designated line, which stretches from Mazraat Beit al-Sayyad on the coast to Kfar Shuba and Ain Ata in the east. He also warned against approaching areas near the Litani River, the Salhane valley, and Wadi Slouki, and against returning to dozens of villages within the zone.

The area spans several hundred square kilometers along the Blue Line and includes dozens of towns and villages, some locations north of the Litani River, a portion of the country’s exclusive economic zone offshore, and part of the Anti-Lebanon range.

Adraee added that Israeli forces are continuing their deployment in southern Lebanon despite the truce.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the fourth day of a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon

Despite the truce, the Israeli army continues the systematic demolition of villages along the southern border to establish what it calls a “security zone,” the outlines of which were announced Sunday.

Hezbollah has claimed its first attack since the cease-fire came into effect.

Catch up on what you missed over the weekend and what to keep an eye for out today by reading our 👉Morning Brief.

Hezbollah claims ambush on Israeli soldiers near Taybeh in south Lebanon

After three days without announcing attacks against Israeli forces — who have been demolishing villages in southern Lebanon — Hezbollah said it carried out its first operation since last Thursday.

In a statement, the group said eight armored vehicles were moving from Taybeh toward Deir Seriane when they were hit by pre-planted improvised explosive devices. Two blasts occurred at 3:40 p.m. and 4:40 p.m., reportedly destroying four Merkava tanks, which were later evacuated. Israeli forces had been operating in the area and redeploying toward Deir Seriane and Qantara.

Over the weekend, the Israeli army had announced the deaths of two of its soldiers in explosions caused by Hezbollah-planted devices.