Israeli strikes on the West Bekaa
In the past two hours, the Israeli army has struck several villages and towns in the western Bekaa, including several times Sohmor, targeting a house in the center of the village, Qalaya and Mashghara, according to our regional correspondent.
Hezbollah chief says US-Iran deal would include Lebanon, vows group will not disarm
The leader of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, said he hopes the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement will be concluded and would include Lebanon, describing it as a framework for a “total cease-fire” across multiple fronts.
“If God wills, the agreement sponsored by Pakistan will be concluded, and it includes Lebanon with a total ceasefire on all fronts,” he said at the end of his speech.
Earlier, he criticized the Lebanese state, urging it to abandon direct negotiations with Israel and instead pursue a “national understanding.” He accused authorities of asking Hezbollah to disarm so that Israel could “enter, kill you, and displace your people as well as Lebanese citizens.”
“If this government is incapable of ensuring sovereignty, it should go,” he added.
Qassem also vowed that Hezbollah “will not submit” and said its drones would continue targeting Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.
South Lebanon: two killed in Nmeirieh
A strike earlier on two motorcycles in Nmeirieh (Nabatieh district) killed two people, identified as Sadek Sadek and Hassan Mouazzen.
A separate drone strike also targeted the town of Doueir in the Nabatieh district.
West Bekaa hit again
The Israeli army struck a house in Sohmor and another in Qlaya, in West Bekaa, according to our correspondent in the region.
Both localities had been subject earlier in the day to an Israeli evacuation order.
Qassem: “Surrendering weapons means extermination”
The leader of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, said in a speech that surrendering the group’s weapons would amount to “extermination,” warning that the movement faces an “existential danger.”
“We are facing an existential danger,” he said, adding that “America cannot confront more than half of the Lebanese people.”
He said that the most Israel can demand is to guarantee the security of its “settlements,” while Lebanon should ensure security on both sides of the border.
Addressing the Lebanese state, he said he was not asking it to confront what he described as a “U.S.-Israeli project” in Lebanon, but warned it should not facilitate it: “Do not be tools of the United States and Israel.”
He accused authorities of treating the resistance as “outside the law” because it defends its country, referring to a March 2 government decision declaring Hezbollah’s military activities illegal.
Qassem opened his speech by reviewing the history of Israeli invasions of Lebanon, saying Israel’s aim has always been “to occupy Lebanon and remain there.”
The remarks were made during a speech marking the anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon on May 25, 2000, after 18 years of occupation, despite what he described as continued Israeli control over parts of southern Lebanon today.
Hezbollah chief says surrendering weapons would mean 'extermination'
The leader of Hezbollah said that handing over the group’s weapons would amount to “extermination,” warning that the movement faces an “existential threat.”
“We are facing an existential danger,” he said, adding that “America cannot confront more than half of the Lebanese people.”
He stated that the most Israel can seek is “to guarantee the security of its settlements,” while Lebanon should aim to ensure security on both sides of the border.
Addressing the Lebanese state, he said it was not being asked to confront what he described as a “U.S.-Israeli project” in Lebanon, but warned against facilitating it: “Do not be tools of the United States and Israel.”
He accused authorities of treating the resistance as “outside the law” because it defends the country, referring to a government decision on 2 March that declared Hezbollah’s military activities illegal.
The speech also reviewed the history of Israeli invasions of Lebanon, saying Israel’s goal has always been “to occupy Lebanon and remain there.”
The remarks were delivered during a speech marking the anniversary of Israel’s 2000 withdrawal from southern Lebanon after 18 years of occupation.
Woman trapped under rubble in Doueir as rescue efforts reportedly hindered by drones
A woman remains trapped under the rubble of her home in Doueir (Nabatieh district) following an Israeli strike earlier on Sunday, according to a statement released by her family.
The family said the presence of Israeli drones has prevented rescue teams from safely reaching the site.
The woman, identified as Suzanna Hoteit, has been trapped for more than six hours. Her husband, Imad, survived the strike, while their daughter was seriously wounded and transferred to hospital. Several other injured people were also rescued.
According to the family, rescue operations were halted after drone activity “threatened” emergency teams, pending authorization through a coordination mechanism allowing heavy machinery to enter the town and resume search efforts. The family urged that excavators be allowed in immediately to continue the rescue operation.
Israeli air raids hit multiple areas in south Lebanon
The Israeli air force carried out strikes in two waves on the town of Zrarieh (Saida district), as well as attacks on Sir al-Gharbieh (Nabatieh district) and Hanwieh (Sour district).
One killed in motorcycle strike in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr as Israeli strikes continue in south Lebanon
An Israeli strike targeted a motorcycle in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour district), killing the rider, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Separately, artillery fire was reported on the heights of Ali al-Taher in the Nabatieh district. Israeli warplanes also carried out raids on Ansar and Kharaeb (Saida district), as well as Yohmor Shaqif (Nabatieh district).
US-Iran deal not expected today, senior US official say
A senior official in the Trump administration said the signing of an agreement with Iran is “not expected today,” noting that “several details still need to be resolved,” according to Axios.
“Back-and-forth is still ongoing over some details, a few words that are important to us and a few words that are important to them,” the official said.
He added that “the Iranian system, in its current configuration, does not move quickly,” and that it would take “several days” for the process to pass through all necessary approvals.
“We understand that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has approved the broad outlines of the agreement, but whether this ultimately leads to a deal remains open,” he concluded.
Trump signals no rush on Iran deal as negotiations continue
U.S. President Donald Trump said he is “not rushing into a deal” with Iran, stressing that time is on Washington’s side as negotiations continue over a potential agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump said he had instructed his representatives not to hurry the process, adding that the talks are proceeding in an “orderly and constructive manner.” He emphasized that Iran “cannot develop or procure a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb,” framing the ongoing negotiations as focused on strict non-proliferation guarantees.
South Lebanon: 11 killed, 9 wounded in Sir al-Gharbieh after Saturday strike
The health ministry said Sunday that 11 people were killed the previous day in an Israeli strike on the village of Sir al-Gharbieh (Nabatieh), including one child and six women, with nine others wounded, among them four children and one woman.
South Lebanon: 3 strikes hit Doueir
Three Israeli drone strikes targeted the town of Doueir in the Nabatieh district. The second strike hit an area near the village mosque, while the third struck the town square, wounding one person.
South Lebanon: 6 villages in Nabatieh and Saida districts ordered to evacuate
Israel has issued a new evacuation call targeting six localities in the Nabatieh and Saida districts.
Residents of Kfarsir, Sir al-Gharbieh, Zrarieh, and Ansar (Nabatieh), as well as Mazraat Kawthariet al-Rezz and Kharaeb (Saida), have been urged to leave their homes ahead of expected Israeli strikes.
Israeli strikes hit Nmairiyeh
The Israeli air force carried out two waves of strikes on the town of Nmairieh in the Nabatieh district.
Netanyahu tells Trump Israel will remain free to act against threats in Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call on Saturday that Israel would remain free to act against threats in Lebanon, an Israeli source told Reuters.
“During his conversation last night with President Trump, the prime minister stressed that Israel would retain its freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon, and President Trump reaffirmed and supported this principle,” the political source said on Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Southern Lebanon: two killed in Tebnine, continued strikes in Nabatieh district
Two people were killed in a drone strike targeting a motorcycle in Tibnin (Bint Jbeil district), according to our correspondent.
A strike also hit Arabsalim (Nabatieh), near an Al-Rissala center, without causing injuries among rescue workers.
Israeli artillery fire targeted the heights of Ali al-Taher as well as Nabatieh al-Fawqa in the Nabatieh district. In addition, a fourth strike hit Yohmor al-Shaqif (Nabatieh).
Strait of Hormuz: 33 ships crossed in the last 24 hours
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy says 33 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours after obtaining Iranian authorization, according to Iran’s Fars news agency, cited by Reuters.
Second strike hits Labbaya in West Bekaa
A second Israeli strike hit the town of Labbaya in West Bekaa, targeting the same area as an earlier strike, according to our correspondent in the region.
Israeli strike hits Labbaya in West Bekaa
An Israeli strike hit Labbaya, in West Bekaa, according to our correspondent in the region.
The village was not included in the Israeli evacuation order issued one hour earlier, which targeted three localities in the area.
Surface-to-air missiles fired at Israeli drone over Tyre, correspondent says
Surface-to-air missiles were fired at an Israeli drone over the city of Sour, after which the drone reportedly withdrew from Lebanese airspace, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Earlier, Israeli warplanes carried out a new raid on Srifa in the Sour district.
Hezbollah has reportedly used air-defense systems against Israeli drones since 2024.
Smoke rises from the Ali Taher heights in the Nabatieh district following three Israeli strikes involving seven missiles on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Photo sent to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Mountasser Abdallah.
Israeli double strike on rescue workers in Arabsalim, at least 1 killed
The Israeli army carried out a deadly double strike in Arabsalim (Nabatieh district), targeting rescue workers from the Islamic Health Committee, an organization affiliated with Hezbollah, while they were “carrying out their humanitarian mission” following earlier Israeli strikes in the area, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
The rescue team was hit by a missile fired from an Israeli drone. A preliminary toll indicates at least one person was killed and two others were wounded, our correspondent reported.
Iranian president says negotiating team will not compromise on 'honor and dignity'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, cited by Reuters, said: “Our negotiating team will not compromise on the honor and dignity of our country.”
“We are ready to reassure the world that we are not seeking to obtain nuclear weapons,” he added.
Israel orders evacuation of 10 villages in Nabatieh district and West Bekaa
The Israeli army has ordered the evacuation of ten villages in Lebanon, located in the Nabatieh district and West Bekaa.
The affected villages include Deir al-Zahrani, Charqieh, Doueir, Nabatieh al-Tahta, Arabsalim, and Kfar Joz in Nabatieh, as well as Qlaia, Sohmor, and Mashghara in West Bekaa.
“For your safety, you must immediately evacuate your homes and move away from the villages and towns to a distance of at least 1,000 meters toward open areas,” wrote Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee on his X account.
Drone shot down in Iranian province airspace, Iranian agency says
Iran’s Mehr news agency says a “Israeli spy drone” was shot down in the airspace of Hormozgan province, according to Reuters.
EU's von der Leyen welcomes signs of progress in peace talks between US and Iran
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday welcomed signs of progress in talks over a possible peace deal between the United States and Iran.
"I welcome the progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran. We need a deal that truly de-escalates the conflict, reopens the Strait of Hormuz and guarantees toll-free full freedom of navigation. Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon," von der Leyen wrote on X.
U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier that Washington and Iran have "largely negotiated" a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Hezbollah claims 6 attacks on Israeli army in south Lebanon, 5 in Deir Siryan
Hezbollah said it carried out six attacks against the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, including five in the Deir Siryan area in the Marjayoun district.
The group said it fired rockets at Israeli army gatherings in the Iskandarouna – Bayyada area on the coast south of Sour at 00:40, and then launched three separate rocket attacks between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. targeting the area of the Litani River near Deir Siryan.
It also said that at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. it struck Israeli military vehicle concentrations in the same area using artillery shells.
Deir Siryan, located south of the Litani River, has been a recurring site of clashes. The Israeli army had previously said its forces briefly crossed the river earlier this month before withdrawing, involving infantry and heavy armored vehicles. The army had suggested the move could indicate preparation for a potential future crossing if necessary.
US–Iran agreement: disagreements remain over 'one or two clauses,' Tasnim reports
Iran’s Tasnim news agency says disagreements still remain over “one or two clauses” in the "memorandum of understanding" between the United States and Iran, according to Reuters. The agency cited a source warning that “if the United States continues to create obstacles, there will be no possibility of reaching a final agreement.”
Separately, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that if Iran’s Supreme National Security Council approves the deal, it would then be submitted to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei for final approval.
UK’s Starmer welcomes progress in US-Iran talks
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed progress toward a potential agreement between the United States and Iran.
“We need to see an agreement that brings the conflict to an end and reopens the Strait of Hormuz,” Starmer said on X.
He also stressed that Iran must “never be allowed” to develop a nuclear weapon, adding that the UK would work with international partners to support diplomatic efforts.
Israeli continues strikes on Nabatieh district, at least 1 killed in Arabsalim
The Israeli army continued its bombardment of the Nabatieh district. Its air force struck Doueir, while a drone carried out a raid on Harouf, following multiple attacks on the region overnight and into the morning.
Separately, one person, identified as Hassan Haidar, was killed in an earlier strike on Arabsalim and another was wounded, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli army also bombarded Bazourieh in the Sour district, killing at least one person and wounding another. It also targeted Kafra in the Bint Jbeil district.
Netanyahu 'concerned' over Iran deal in call with Trump, Axios reports
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern about the condition during a phone call with Donald Trump on Saturday, an Israeli official said. He also raised issues about other aspects of the deal, but did so in a respectful and deferential manner, a U.S. official added, according to Axios.
Draft 'declaration of intent' between the US and Iran focuses on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon
The draft “declaration of intent” between the United States and Iran emphasizes “ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, cited by Reuters. “Israel must end the war in Lebanon,” the agency also reported.
According to Tasnim, a 30-day period would be dedicated to procedures related to the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the blockade, followed by 60 days of negotiations on the nuclear issue. On that front, the agency noted that Iran has not yet agreed to any measures.
Marco Rubio says announcement on Iran deal could come Sunday
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an announcement regarding an agreement with Iran could be made later on Sunday.
“I think it is possibly the case that, in the coming hours, the world could receive some good news,” Rubio told reporters in New Delhi, according to AFP.
Iran has 'not agreed' to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, senior source says
A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Sunday that Tehran has “not agreed” to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The source added that Iran’s nuclear program is not part of the preliminary agreement reached with the United States.
“The nuclear issue will be addressed within negotiations for a final agreement and is therefore not part of the current deal. No agreement has been reached regarding the export of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium,” the source said.
Washington and Iran seek to 'finalize' a deal to end the war
The United States and Iran are seeking on Sunday to finalize an agreement after reporting a breakthrough in talks to end the war, with Donald Trump referring to a “largely negotiated” compromise that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that Tehran is in the “finalization phase” of a memorandum of understanding with Washington. “This does not necessarily mean that we and the United States will reach an agreement on key issues,” stressed Esmaeil Baghaei, noting that the nuclear file is not part of the deal under discussion “at this stage.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as a mediator, suggested a phased resolution to the conflict, saying he hopes to “host the next round of negotiations very soon.”
Attacks continue in the south, at least 2 killed since 6 a.m.
Israeli strikes have continued since this morning in southern Lebanon, killing at least two people.
At 6 a.m., a car traveling on the main road between Zahrani and Nabatieh was targeted by a drone strike, leaving one person dead and another wounded, according to our correspondent.
Another drone strike on Doueir, also in the Nabatieh district, killed a Syrian national and lightly injured three others.
A separate drone strike targeted Nabatieh, with no immediate casualty toll available.
Fighter jets also struck Yohmor al-Shaqif (Nabatieh) and Froun (Bint Jbeil), the latter hit by two waves of airstrikes.
Multiple strikes on Nabatieh and its region
Additional attacks were reported overnight in the Nabatieh area, including strikes on the “Rahbate” (nuns’ quarter), a stone quarry at the city’s entrance, Kfar Tibnit, Toul, Habboush, the outskirts of Kfar Roummane, Arabsalim, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa.
The Marj Harouf economic zone was hit by three airstrikes and artillery shelling, destroying several shops and businesses and sparking large fires, according to our correspondent.
In the Sour district, Majdal Zoun, Mansouri, and Toura were also bombed. In Toura, a mother and her son were injured, while the family’s daughter remains missing. In Srifa, an airstrike killed two people.
The army also carried out a new controlled demolition in Khiam, in the eastern sector.
Death toll from strike on Sir al-Gharbieh rises, two still missing
The toll from Saturday’s Israeli strike on Sir al-Gharbieh has risen to nine killed, including six women and one child, with six wounded and two people still missing.
Civil Defense center destroyed in Israeli strike in Nabatieh
Around 11 p.m. Saturday, several strikes targeted a Civil Defense center in Nabatieh, completely destroying the building and ambulances. The center had been evacuated beforehand, and no casualties were reported, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon,.
The Civil Defense’s general directorate condemned the strike on “a center dedicated to humanitarian and rescue operations” and said it would continue its mission despite the risks.
Welcome to our live coverage
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the situation in Lebanon, particularly in the south, where Israel continues its attacks despite a theoretical ceasefire in place since mid-April.
We will also be following developments in negotiations between Tehran and Washington, after President Donald Trump said Saturday evening that a peace agreement with Iran had been “largely negotiated, pending finalization.”
Already have an account? Login here
You have reached your article limit
Iran-US-Lebanon: Everything can change in an instant.
Stay informed for only $6.9/month for 1 year, instead of $12.9.
This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers.
Already have an account? Login here
