Hezbollah claims Tuesday attacks inside Israeli territory
In its 21st statement of the day, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for “an exploding drone attack carried out Tuesday inside Israel against the Israeli position of al-Jalil Hill, as well as the localities of Avivim, Ramin [Hunin], Ramot Naftali and Ma'ale Golani.”
Hezbollah says it intercepted Israeli drone
Hezbollah said it “intercepted at 7:10 p.m. an Israeli army Hermes 450-Zik drone in the skies over the central sector using a surface-to-air missile.”
The group also claimed responsibility for “a suicide drone attack at 6:30 p.m. against a Merkava tank in Rshaf,” in the Bint Jbeil district, adding that it had hit its target.
It also announced “a suicide drone attack at 8 p.m. targeting another group of soldiers and vehicles in Naqoura.”
Hezbollah says it 'inflicted losses on the enemy'
Hezbollah said it “targeted at 3:25 p.m. a second excavator sent to tow the damaged vehicles, as well as a third Merkava tank with a suicide drone around 3:40 p.m. near Haddatha stadium, followed by a rocket barrage against Israeli soldiers.”
The militia also claimed “a small-arms attack at 4:30 p.m. against Israeli infantry soldiers advancing toward the Haddatha mosque alongside two Merkava tanks,” saying it had “inflicted losses on the enemy, which was forced to retreat under a thick screen of smoke.”
The movement also said it targeted three groups of soldiers on the outskirts of Haddatha with rocket barrages between 3:45 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. It said it repeated the operation at 5 p.m. against soldiers and vehicles in Baydar using a swarm of exploding drones.
Hezbollah also said it targeted a fourth Merkava tank near the Haddatha basin with an exploding drone at 5:15 p.m., as well as Israeli vehicles and soldiers at 5:25 p.m., 5:50 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
Hezbollah says it repelled Israeli attack in Haddatha
Hezbollah said it “repelled” a combined Israeli army force advancing toward Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district, from the Baydar area at around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
“Upon reaching the outskirts of the basin area, the force was targeted with artillery shells and continuous rocket barrages for about half an hour,” Hezbollah said in a statement.
The party also claimed responsibility for “an exploding drone attack at 3:20 p.m. against a D9 bulldozer, as well as an anti-tank attack against a Merkava tank in the Haddatha basin area,” adding that “the targets were hit.”
The group also claimed “a second guided missile attack at the same time against another Merkava tank near the Baydar area in Haddatha,” saying the target was hit and that “the vehicle caught fire.”
It added that it also “targeted the tank’s protection system with rocket barrages.”
Donald Trump says he is ready to wait a few days for the 'right response' from Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared to wait a few days for the “right response” from Iran, Reuters reported.
Israeli warplanes strike Habboush again and target other southern villages, our correspondent reports
Israeli airstrikes again targeted the town of Habboush, in the Nabatieh district, in the evening.
Earlier, Israeli warplanes bombed Shaqra, Sultanieh and Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district, as well as Majdal Selm in the Marjayoun district.
Iran says it wants to end the war, 'particularly in Lebanon'
“We are currently focused on ending the war on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon, and we are negotiating in good faith. The American side must prove its seriousness in the negotiations,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr kills 14, including four children, Health Ministry says
The Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, in the Sour district, on Tuesday killed 14 people, including four children and three women, according to a final toll released by the Health Ministry. A Syrian child was among those killed.
Three other people were wounded, including a Syrian child.
'Hair on fire': Axios reports tense call between Trump and Netanyahu over Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed a new attempt to reach an agreement with Iran during a Tuesday evening phone call described as “difficult” by three sources cited by Axios.
One U.S. source went so far as to say that “Netanyahu’s hair was on fire” after the conversation, underscoring his extreme frustration.
Trump reportedly told Netanyahu that mediators were working on a “letter of intent” that the United States and Iran would sign to end the conflict and open a 30-day negotiation period on several issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the sources, a new proposal was drafted by Qatar and Pakistan, with contributions from other regional mediators, in an effort to narrow the gaps between the American and Iranian positions.
The initiative comes as Trump weighs whether to order a large-scale strike on Iran or continue pursuing diplomacy.
Iran reviewing new US proposal, Foreign Ministry says
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that “Iran is currently focused on ending the war on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon, and is negotiating in good faith, while calling on the American side to prove its seriousness in the negotiations,” the state-run National News Agency reported.
The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry added that “Iran is seriously and in good faith pursuing the path of negotiations, but has strong and legitimate reservations regarding Washington.”
The spokesperson also said that “the visit of Pakistan’s interior minister to Iran aims to facilitate the exchange of messages,” adding that Tehran’s demands include “the release of frozen funds and an end to maritime piracy against Iranian shipping.”
Iran is “reviewing” a new U.S. proposal following the visit of a Pakistani mediator, AFP also reported.
Separately, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that “Iran is seeking to establish a mechanism with Oman to ensure lasting security in the Strait of Hormuz,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told state television Wednesday, according to Reuters.
He added that Iran was ready to develop protocols to guarantee maritime traffic security in cooperation with other coastal states, without providing further details.
Israeli warplanes bomb Habboush after evacuation order, our correspondent in south Lebanon reports
More than two hours after the Israeli army issued an evacuation order, Israeli warplanes bombed Habboush, in the Nabatieh district.
Earlier, Israeli artillery shelled the towns of Haniyeh, Qleileh, and Mansouri in the Sour district, as well as Tibnin and Aita al-Jabal in the Bint Jbeil district.
Israeli army reports injuries in south Lebanon after Hezbollah drone attack
The Israeli army said several soldiers were wounded in a drone attack carried out by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli officer and commander of the 401st Brigade, Lt. Col. Meir Biderman, was seriously wounded Wednesday morning by the explosion of a Hezbollah drone in southern Lebanon, according to an Israeli military statement.
Another Israeli army officer was moderately wounded, while a reservist sustained minor injuries, the Israeli army said.
Canada condemns 'abhorrent treatment' of detained Gaza activists
Canada announced that it had summoned the Israeli ambassador over the “abhorrent treatment” of activists from the Gaza Flotilla shown in a video published by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, AFP reported.
“Civilians must be protected at all times. The video shared by Ben Gvir is deplorable and clearly shows the mistreatment of civilians,” Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said during a virtual press conference from Estonia.
Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli positions in Yaroun, Bint Jbeil and Deir Siryan in south Lebanon
Hezbollah claimed responsibility Wednesday for two exploding drone swarm attacks against Israeli positions in south Lebanon. The first, at 10 a.m., targeted Israeli artillery batteries stationed in Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district. The second, at 10:30 a.m., targeted artillery batteries stationed in the town of Bint Jbeil.
The party also said it targeted Israeli soldiers and vehicles positioned in Shamah, in the Sour district, and in Deir Siryan in the Kellet Raj area of the Marjayoun district, using rocket swarms at 12:30 p.m. and 4:50 p.m.
It said it had carried out eight attacks so far Wednesday.
Belgium summons Israeli ambassador over detained Gaza activists
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced that he is summoning the Israeli ambassador after what he described as “deeply disturbing” images showed activists from the “Gaza flotilla” kneeling after being placed in detention, AFP reported.
“Belgian citizens are among those detained. This situation is unacceptable,” the minister said on X. He added that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remained “catastrophic” and required “the full attention of the international community.”
Israeli army bombs Kafra and Hariss
Two Israeli airstrikes targeted the towns of Kafra and Hariss, in the Bint Jbeil district, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.
Gaza: Hamas, 'main obstacle' to peace plan, according to the 'Board of Peace'
The Palestinian movement Hamas is “the main obstacle” to the implementation of the second phase of the truce in Gaza, according to the 'Board of Peace' created by Donald Trump in its first report to the U.N. Security Council, seen by AFP.
“At this stage, the main obstacle to the full implementation [of the peace plan] remains Hamas’ refusal to accept disarmament with a verification system, to relinquish its coercive control, and to allow a genuine political transition in Gaza,” says the report submitted by the United States to the U.N. Security Council under a resolution adopted in November in support of the U.S. president’s peace plan.
Israeli airstrikes targeted towns in the districts of Saida, Sour, Bint Jbeil
The Israeli military conducted an airstrike on the Qasmieh River between the towns of Arzeh, near Saida, and Burj Rahal, near Sour, reported our correspondent in the South.
Israeli airstrikes also targeted the towns of Siddiqin and Jwayya, both located in the district of Sour.
At least 3,073 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March
The Lebanese Health Ministry reports that Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,073 people and injured 9,362 since March 2.
Israel says it is on 'high alert' after new threats between Iran, US
The Israeli army has stated that it is on "high alert" following renewed exchanges of threats between the United States and Iran, AFP reports.
"We have struck and weakened Iran and the entire [pro-Iranian] axis systematically, powerfully, and methodically. We will continue to act for as long as necessary, both on near and far fronts," said the army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, during a meeting with commanders.
"Currently, the army is on high alert and is prepared for any developments," he added, according to a military statement.
Iran: Chief negotiator Ghalibaf says US 'seeking to start new war'
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the United States of wanting to reignite the war, while still hoping for the Islamic Republic's surrender.
"The enemy's maneuvers, both public and behind the scenes, show that, despite economic and political pressure, it has not abandoned its military objectives and is seeking to start a new war," said Ghalibaf, who is also the parliament speaker, in an audio message relayed by Iranian media.
He added that Iran must "strengthen its preparations in order to mount a strong response to any new attack," asserting that "Iran will never yield to intimidation," even though Washington "still hopes for the capitulation of the Iranian nation."
Israel orders forced evacuation of Habboush, Deir Zahrani in south Lebanon
The Israeli army issued an evacuation order for the towns of Habboush and Deir Zahrani (Nabatieh district) in southern Lebanon, calling on residents, "for their safety," to "evacuate their homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from their villages to open areas."
"Anyone found near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, and their means of combat is putting their life in danger!" added the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, on X.
Riyadh welcomes Trump for 'giving diplomacy a chance' and calls on Iran to seize it
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to "give diplomacy a chance," urging Iran to seize this opportunity to avoid escalation, AFP reports.
The powerful Gulf monarchy "deeply appreciates U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to give diplomacy a chance to reach an acceptable agreement to end the war," the Saudi foreign minister said in a statement on X. He also expressed hope "that Iran will seize this opportunity to avoid the dangerous repercussions of escalation and will promptly respond to efforts to advance negotiations toward an agreement."
Israel has killed 18 people, wounded 3 others today in south Lebanon
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon throughout the day have so far killed 18 people and injured three, not counting the victims of Tuesday's airstrike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, which killed 13 people and wounded two others, according to a preliminary toll, according to our correspondent.
In Doueir (Nabatieh), Israeli strikes have killed five people. In Tibnin (Bint Jbeil), four people, and in Ghandourieh, four others were killed. Israeli strikes on Sutlanieh, in the same district, killed two people and wounded one person. In the Sour district, one person was killed by Israeli strikes on Burj al-Shemali. Two others were killed and two wounded in Jabal al-Botom.
Israel kills one person in Burj al-Shemali, Sour
Israel kills on person in Burj al-Shemali (Sour) strike on a motorcycle today, our correspondent reports.
Israeli aircraft also bombed Kafra (Bint Jbeil) this afternoon.
Hezbollah targets Israeli Merkava tank in Taybeh
Hezbollah said it targeted a Merkava tank at Bider al-Faq’ani in the town of Taybeh (Marjayoun) using a loitering attack drone.
Clashes between Hezbollah fighters and the Israeli army are ongoing in Hadatha
Sounds of clashes involving machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades are being heard on the outskirts of the town of Hadatha (Bint Jbeil), where confrontations are taking place between Hezbollah fighters and the Israeli army.
An Israeli drone targets a motorcycle in Burj al-Shemali as strikes continue in the Sour district
- An Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle near the public school in the town of Burj al-Shemali (Sour.)
- Two people were killed and two were wounded in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the town of Jabal al-Botm (Sour.)
- Israeli artillery shelling also targeted the town of Shuhur (Sour.)
Lebanese Army, Red Cross located 2 missing Syrians in Israeli airstrike in Shwaya
A force from the Lebanese Army, together with a team from the Lebanese Red Cross, succeeded in locating the two Syrians who had been missing for three days in the Shwaya area, in Hasbaya, after they were reportedly targeted by the Israeli army in that region, our correspondent in the south reported.
Information indicated that one of them was killed, while the other was injured and was transferred to a hospital in the Hasbaya area for treatment.
Search operations for them had begun yesterday but were unsuccessful due to field conditions, before rescue teams were able to locate them today.
Hezbollah targets Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Deir Seryan
Hezbollah said it targeted a gathering of Israeli army vehicles and soldiers at the riverbed on the outskirts of the town of Deir Seryan (Marjayoun) using artillery shells.
Death toll from Israeli strikes in the south rises
- An airstrike targeted the town of Sultaniyah (Bint Jbeil), killing two and wounding one.
- In the airstrikes reported earlier, four people were killed in Tibnin (Bint Jbeil), the death toll in the Doueir (Nabatieh) strike has risen to five, and four people were killed in the Ghandourieh (Bint Jbeil) strike.
Deir Qanoun al-Nahr strike: Rescue efforts continue in the rubble
Rescue operations are ongoing following an Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr that killed at least 13 people, according to a preliminary toll cited by the head of the municipality, Ali Kassir.
He said that among the identified victims are 11 members of the same local family and a Syrian couple whose son was injured.
So far, rescue teams have recovered seven bodies from the rubble, while others remain trapped under the debris, he added.
Israeli airstrike hits area near Tibnin hospital in Bint Jbeil
The Israeli strike that targeted the vicinity of Tibnin Hospital in the Bint Jbeil district, our correspondent in the south reported. (Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
An Israeli airstrike targeted the vicinity of the government hospital in Tibnin, in the Bint Jbeil district, according to our correspondent.
Separately, artillery fire hit the Nabatiyeh district, including the towns of Shoukin and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, as well as the Ali Taher hills.
Rescue operations still ongoing today after yesterday's Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, mayor says
Deir Qanoun al-Nahr’s (Sour) head of municipality, Ali Kassir, told L’Orient Today this morning that the death toll from yesterday’s Israeli strike on the town has reached 13 dead and two injured.
Speaking to our correspondent in the south, Kassir said “the victims include 11 members of the same family from Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, in addition to a Syrian mother and father, while their son was injured.”
Kassir added that “rescue teams have so far recovered seven bodies from beneath the rubble, while the remaining victims are still trapped under the debris.”
He also noted that “Civil Defense teams, along with rescue crews from the Islamic Health Society and the Islamic Risala Scout Association [affiliated with Hezbollah and Amal Movement respectively], have been continuing search and rubble-removal operations since yesterday in an attempt to recover the remaining bodies, with an official statement expected to be issued shortly.”
Jordan says unidentified drone shot down
Jordan’s armed forces shot down an unidentified drone that entered its airspace on Thursday morning, the state news agency reported.
The drone was intercepted in the Jerash Governorate (Balila) in northern Jordan. No casualties were reported, though minor material damage occurred.
Pakistan interior minister heads to Iran for talks, Tasnim says
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Wednesday that Pakistan's interior minister was heading to Tehran for talks with Iranian officials, as Islamabad continues to lead mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s near-total internet shutdown enters 82nd day
The near-total internet blackout in Iran is now in its “82nd day … with the country still largely cut off from the global internet after 1944 hours,” according to internet watchdog NetBlocks.
Iran’s government imposed the shutdown across the country within hours of the start of the U.S.-Israel war at the end of February, which followed a similar 20-day outage during nationwide antigovernment protests in January.
The Israeli strike on Doueir (Nabatieh) has killed at least three people after targeting an inhabited house, our correspondent in the south Muntasser Abdallah reported. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
Israeli strikes continue in Bint Jbeil, Nabatieh, and Sour districts
- Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting the towns of Ghandourieh (Bint Jbeil) and Doueir (Nabatieh.)
- Israel also launched two missiles in an airstrike between the towns of Abbassieh and Borj Rahhal, targeting the Qadmous road near the Elite School (a cattle farm) in Sour.
- Artillery shelling targeted the town of Siddiqine (Sour), while additional artillery fire struck the vicinity of Zawtar Sharqieh (Nabatieh.)
Iran Guards vow war will 'spread far beyond region' if US resumes attacks
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned on Wednesday that the Middle East war will extend beyond the region if the United States and Israel resume attacks on the Islamic republic.
"If the aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will this time spread far beyond the region, and our devastating blows will crush you," the Guards said in a statement on their website Sepah News.
NYT reports alleged US-Israeli plan involving Ahmadinejad in Iran war
According to The New York Times, the United States and Israel reportedly considered former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a possible figure in a post-war leadership scenario during the conflict with Iran.
The report says Israeli planners developed a broader regime-change strategy, including early strikes that killed senior Iranian officials and an attempt to free Ahmadinejad from house arrest. He was reportedly injured in a strike on his home in Tehran on the first day of the war but survived.
However, the plan quickly fell apart, with Ahmadinejad said to have become disillusioned afterward. His current whereabouts remain unknown. The report underscores skepticism among some U.S. officials, given his hard-line record during his presidency from 2005 to 2013.
Hezbollah targets Israeli troops in Bint Jbeil district
Hezbollah said in its first two statements of the day that it carried out two overnight operations between Tuesday and Wednesday in the Bint Jbeil district.
The group reported attacking Israeli soldiers and military vehicles at 12:20 a.m. in Rshaf and again at 12:40 a.m. in Dibil, using volleys of rockets.
Seoul says South Korean tanker has crossed Strait of Hormuz
A South Korean oil tanker has passed through the Strait of Hormuz with facilitation from Iran, Seoul announced, as traffic through the strategic waterway remains largely disrupted by the Middle East conflict.
“Our tanker is currently exiting the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iran,” South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told parliament, without providing further details.
South Korea relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude supplies.
US Senate advances measure to end war with Iran
The U.S. Senate has advanced a resolution requiring the withdrawal of American forces involved in the conflict with Iran, in a move that could deal a political setback to President Donald Trump. Four Republican senators joined Democrats in the procedural vote, which clears the way for a final vote at a later, unspecified date.
However, the measure is largely symbolic, as it could be blocked by a presidential veto.
More details 👉here.
430 members of Gaza flotilla transferred to Israel
The 430 members of the “Gaza flotilla,” intercepted by the Israeli navy off Cyprus on Monday, are being transferred to Israel, the Israeli foreign ministry announced overnight.
“All 430 activists have been transferred onto Israeli vessels and are on their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet their consular representatives,” a ministry spokesperson said.
Earlier, the Global Sumud flotilla — made up of around 50 boats — said Israeli forces had boarded the vessels. It later condemned what it called an “illegal and violent interception” and the abduction of volunteers, calling for their immediate release and an end to the blockade on Gaza.
More details 👉here.
Israeli strike in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr kills 14, including 5 children
According to our correspondent, an Israeli strike that hit a residential building in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour district) on Tuesday killed at least 14 people, including five children. Two of the victims were Syrian nationals.
South Lebanon: 41 localities hit by Israel, 26 Hezbollah attacks
On Tuesday, the Israeli army attacked 41 localities across southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent. Airstrikes targeted 24 areas, while drones struck seven others. In addition, 10 villages were shelled with white phosphorus artillery.
Hezbollah carried out 26 attacks against Israeli targets the same day, an increase compared to the previous three days. These operations targeted positions in southern Lebanon as well as inside Israel, including strikes on Iron Dome platforms at Jal al-Allam and the northern Israeli village of Margaliot.
Hezbollah reports overnight clashes in Haddatha
Hezbollah said it carried out two overnight ambushes against Israeli soldiers attempting to advance on Haddatha (Bint Jbeil district), a village located outside the buffer zone Israel is establishing in southern Lebanon.
In a first statement, the group said it engaged Israeli forces at 10:15 p.m. with medium weapons and rockets near the town square, claiming to have inflicted losses and destroyed a Merkava tank. The clashes continued, according to a second statement, as Israeli fighter jets and drones attempted to intervene to support the troops.
Strikes in Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil districts, rare demolition near Kfar Shuba
After a relatively calm morning, Israeli aircraft carried out strikes on Habboush in the Nabatieh district and Kafra, while artillery fire targeted Haris, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Our correspondent also reported a powerful explosion in the vicinity of Kfar Shuba, in an area not usually targeted by Israeli forces.
On Tuesday evening, after 11 p.m., an Israeli drone fired a rocket at the so-called “popular housing” area in Sour, triggering a fire. No casualties were reported.
After midnight, a drone struck Jibsheet, while artillery fire hit the outskirts of Harouf. A fighter jet also struck a house in Toura and another house in Habboush (Nabatieh).
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage. We’ll be following developments in Lebanon, now in the fifth day of a cease-fire extended by 45 days between Beirut and Tel Aviv, despite near-daily exchanges between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
We will also be following developments across the region, including in Iran.
➡️ You can catch up on yesterday's news here.
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