Hezbollah claims new attacks on Yohmor and northern Israeli barracks
Hezbollah said it launched rocket and drone attacks against Israeli troops near Yohmor Shaqif (Nabatieh), and carried out multiple suicide drone strikes throughout the day on military barracks in northern Israel, including Malkieh, Yiftah and Netua.
Drone strike hits Nabatieh; Israeli bombardment reported in Jezzine district
An Israeli strike targeted Srireh in the Jezzine district on Friday evening, while a drone-fired strike was reported in Nabatieh, according to our correspondent. Bombardments also hit Blat (Marjayoun) and Zrarieh (Saida).
Iran says 'no final agreement' yet reached with the United States
Iran’s foreign ministry said no agreement has yet been finalized with Washington to end the war, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump signaling an imminent decision.
“Talks are ongoing, but no final deal has been concluded,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai said, according to state media.
Earlier, Trump said he was preparing to make a “final decision” on a potential agreement, but Iranian sources cited by Fars disputed his claims on key issues, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program.
Kazakhstan offers to host Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles as diplomatic efforts continue
Kazakhstan has said it is ready to take custody of Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium — near weapons-grade — if a U.S. – Iran agreement is reached, according to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in an interview with the Financial Times.
The country already hosts an internationally supervised reserve of low-enriched uranium used to guarantee fuel supply for nuclear power plants in IAEA member states.
As part of broader diplomatic efforts, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Washington on Friday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Israel kills 8, all Syrians, in strike on Adloun (Sour)
An Israeli strike earlier on Adloun, in the Sour district, killed eight people in a final toll, all of them Syrian nationals, according to our correspondent. A victim of an earlier raid on Sarafand (Saida) around 4 p.m. was identified as Hajj Hussein Daoud Manana (Abu Daoud).
After 8 p.m., Debbine (Marjayoun) was hit by a fourth Israeli strike in a single day. Toulin, also in Marjayoun, was struck by three raids. Other attacks were reported on Froun, Ghandourieh, Burj Qalaway (Bint Jbeil), as well as Majdal Selm and Kabrikha (Marjayoun).
Hezbollah, for its part, announced two operations: targeting a Merkava tank in Yohmor Shaqif at 7 p.m., and another Israeli tank in Debbine (Marjayoun).
Raids on Burj al-Shemali, near Sour; 4 Syrians killed in Adloun
Three missiles struck buildings in Burj al-Shemali, on the outskirts of the coastal city of Sour, according to our correspondent. In the Sour district as well, artillery fire targeted Srifa, while Adloun was bombarded. The strike on Adloun killed four people, all of them Syrian nationals.
Zefta bombed shortly after Israeli threats; artillery fire in Nabatieh district
The air raid on Zefta. (Credit: Photo circulated by Muntasser Abdallah)
The village of Zefta, in the Nabatieh district, which had been subject to an Israeli army evacuation order less than an hour earlier, was hit in an airstrike, our correspondent in the south reports.
In the same area, heavy artillery fire was reported around Arnoun, Yohmor, Kfar Tibnit, and Zawtar, amid reported Israeli ground movement attempts. Some sources say two Israeli tanks were targeted by Hezbollah near Beaufort Castle, while automatic weapons fire was heard in Arnoun.
The outskirts of Debbine and Blat, in the Marjayoun district, were also struck by artillery shells, as was Touline in the same area.
A major demolition was also carried out near Halta and Kfar Shuba, in the Hasbaya district.
Hezbollah claims ambush and drone attacks on Israeli troops in Nabatieh district
Hezbollah said it carried out a series of attacks targeting Israeli forces in Yohmor Shaqif, a locality in the bend of the Litani River in the Nabatieh district.
In a statement, the group said its fighters ambushed an Israeli military vehicle, which reportedly struck an explosive device and caught fire.
Hezbollah also said it launched three exploding drones at three Merkava tanks moving inside the village.
The claims come amid continued clashes and escalating military activity in southern Lebanon.
Iranian agency rejects Trump remarks on Iran deal as 'mix of truth and lies'
The Iranian news agency Fars, citing unnamed sources, has rejected comments by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a possible agreement with Iran, describing them as a “mix of truth and lies,” according to Reuters.
Fars said Trump’s remarks amounted to an “attempt to present a fabricated victory,” and added that Iran has made clear its position on regional waterways.
According to Fars, Tehran has stated that once the U.S. blockade is lifted, it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under its own defined conditions, which could include monitoring and inspecting ships, providing services, and implementing security measures.
The agency also cited sources saying there is no provision in the draft agreement requiring the destruction of Iran’s nuclear materials, calling such claims “baseless.” It further claimed the deal includes the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
Sources cited by the Fars news agency claim that “the draft agreement provides for a total cease-fire in Lebanon, in line with the position expressed by Hezbollah.”
Iran says agreement depends on end to “excessive” US demands
Iran has said that any potential agreement with the United States depends on Washington abandoning what it described as “excessive demands,” according to remarks by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported by AFP.
Trump says meeting Friday to make final decision on deal with Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he would be meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday to make a final decision on a deal with Iran.
He also listed what a potential deal would need to include: Iran agreeing not to develop a nuclear weapon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of any sea mines, the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iran and the removal and destruction by the U.S. of Iran's highly enriched uranium.
"No money will be exchanged, until further notice. Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to. I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Israeli strikes hit multiple southern Lebanon areas; artillery fire targets Jezzine region
Israeli forces carried out a wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Friday afternoon, hitting several towns in the Nabatieh, Marjayoun, Saida, Bint Jbeil and Sour districts, according to our correspondent.
Around 4:30 p.m., Mayfadoun and the outskirts of Shoukin (Nabatieh) were bombarded. At about 5 p.m., Israeli air raids targeted Debbine (Marjayoun) and Ansarieh (Saida), while drones remained active over the Saida region.
Between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., successive strikes hit Sarafand (Saida), Shoukin (Nabatieh), Kherbet Selm (Bint Jbeil) and Mansouri (Sour). The outskirts of Rihan (Jezzine) were also hit by artillery fire.
Separately, residents of a building in Haret Saida reportedly received an evacuation warning, which the Lebanese Army is investigating to verify.
Israeli evacuation order issued for Zefta
The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, posted a new evacuation order on X for residents of the village of Zefta in the Nabatieh district.
“To preserve your safety, evacuate your homes immediately and head north of the Zahrani River [south of Saida],” he wrote, again accusing Hezbollah of “violations of the cease-fire.”
President Aoun and US secretary of state discuss cease-fire in phone call
In a post on X, the Lebanese presidency said President Joseph Aoun held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they discussed the situation in Lebanon and developments in the region.
President Aoun stressed during the call the need for all possible efforts to reach a ceasefire, describing it as the essential gateway to any further steps and a necessary condition for creating the right circumstances to address outstanding issues.
For his part, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the U.S. administration’s commitment to continue efforts aimed at implementing the outcomes of previous Washington meetings. He also reiterated U.S. support for Lebanon’s stability, independence, and sovereignty over its entire territory, as well as its “natural and full right” to determine its own future.
Israeli attacks kill 3,355 and injure 10,095 since March 2
As the escalation continues in the south of the country, the human toll is rising. The Operations Center of the Public Health Ministry updated the figures on Friday, reporting at least 3,355 people killed and 10,095 wounded since March 2, the date marking the start of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
This brings the total number of victims to 13,450, including 15% women.
Netanyahu says Israeli forces crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that troops from the Israeli army’s 36th Division have crossed the Litani River and advanced toward strategic positions in southern Lebanon, according to Reuters.
“Our forces have crossed the Litani and advanced toward the heights. We are also carrying out operations in Beirut, in the Beqaa, across the entire front [with Lebanon], and we are striking Hezbollah hard,” he said on Friday during a visit to Israel’s northern border.
Three killed in Israeli strikes on Saida district
Israeli airstrikes on several villages in the Saida district have killed at least three people, according to initial reports from southern Lebanon.
The strikes followed Israeli warnings and were carried out by fighter jets targeting the areas of Khrayeb, Sarafand — near the government hospital along the highway — and Baissarieh.
In Khrayeb, three fatalities were confirmed in a preliminary toll, as strikes hit residential zones.
Further south, in the Bint Jbeil district, Khirbet Selm was struck three times, while additional raids targeted the towns of Ghandourieh, Braasheet and Safad al-Battikh. Meanwhile, a drone fired a missile at Nabatieh al-Fawqa, underscoring the continued intensity of the aerial campaign.
Meeting begins in Washington between Lebanese and Israeli military delegations
A meeting between Lebanese and Israeli military delegations at the Pentagon has begun, according to several Lebanese media outlets. This marks the first talks at the level of army delegations from both countries, aimed at addressing security issues amid Israel’s renewed offensive against Lebanon.
According to a military source cited by AFP, the Lebanese delegation will “stress the need to end hostilities and present the army’s plan to extend state authority across Lebanese territory.” The delegation is led by the army’s head of operations, General Georges Rizkallah, and includes six members from various specialties.
On the Israeli side, Brigadier General Amichai Levin, head of the strategic division within the army’s planning directorate, is attending the talks in Washington, according to an Israeli military spokesperson.
Trump circulates draft Iran peace deal amid rising tensions
Efforts to prevent a renewed escalation between the United States and Iran appear to be entering a critical phase, as former U.S. President Donald Trump has circulated a draft peace agreement among key allies, including Israel. The move comes as both sides work urgently to preserve a fragile ceasefire that risks unraveling under mounting pressure.
According to The Guardian, the draft proposal is part of a broader push to stabilize the situation and avoid further confrontation, even as negotiators remain divided on several key issues. The urgency is underscored by ongoing diplomatic activity, with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar scheduled to travel to Washington to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an effort to accelerate talks.
Israeli airstrikes continue on the districts of Nabatieh, Bint Jbeil, and Sour
Israeli strikes have targeted Ghandourieh (Bint Jbeil), a house in Kharayeb, Kfar Tibnit (Nabatieh), Abbasieh (Sour), and Froun (Bint Jbeil), reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Update on the situation in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent in the region
Israeli strikes have targeted Froun, Mansouri (Sour), Kharayeb (Saida), Bazourieh, Harouf, Arnoun, Yohmor al-Shaqif, and Ali Taher, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr killed one person.
After receiving authorization from the ‘mechanism,’ the Lebanese Army arrived to the village of Doueir to search for Suzanne Hoteit, who has been missing and unreachable for six days.
Israel kills 15 children in Lebanon in last 7 days, UNICEF calls figure 'staggering'
Israel has killed 15 children and injured 62 over the last seven days in Lebanon, the United Nations said Friday, despite the nominal "cease-fire" in place since April 17, 2026.
UNICEF, the U.N. agency dedicated to the rights of children, called the figures "staggering" and stressed that under international humanitarian law, children had to be protected at all times during conflict.
"According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, 77 children have reportedly been killed or injured over the past week alone," UNICEF spokesman Ricardo Pires told a media briefing in Geneva.
"Fifteen children killed and 62 injured in seven days. That's an average of 11 children every 24 hours.
Read more here.
Fadlallah: Iran has not accepted any agreement that does not include Lebanon
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said Friday that "Iran has not accepted any agreement that does not include Lebanon," as Washington and Tehran are engaged in talks to reach a deal to end the war in the Middle East. He added that "coordination is ongoing" with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
"There is Iranian insistence on stopping the aggression against Lebanon," the MP said, noting that "Iran has not accepted any agreement that does not include Lebanon."
"That is why the enemy is trying to get ahead of this by intensifying its attacks and is taking advantage of the position of those in power in Beirut and their insistence on continuing the negotiations," he said. The MP also asserted that "coordination is ongoing with Berri to face these dangers."
"We are both working to stop the aggression, and we have a common vision regarding direct negotiations, each expressing it in his own way. Any decision regarding how to approach solutions will be joint and there will be no disagreement," he continued.
Read more here.
Update on the situation in southern Lebanon, according to our correspondent in the region
An Israeli drone strike on the town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr targeted a car parked at the side of the road. (Photo shared by our correspondent Muntasser Abdallah)
- Israeli strikes have targeted Yohmor al-Shaqif, Qleileh, Arnoun al-Shaqif, and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr.
- Israeli strikes on Jwayya injured three people.
- Waves of mass displacement taking place following Israel's latest forced evacuation orders.
- Israeli strike on Aita al-Jabal killed one person.
- Injuries reported in the Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr
- The Israeli strike on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr targeted a car parked at the side of the road and left several people injured.
Hezbollah attacks a Merkava tank in Yohmor al-Shaqif
Hezbollah announced in a statement that it had attacked an Israeli army Merkava tank in Yohmor al-Shaqif, in the Nabatieh district, at 8.50 a.m., claiming that the tank “was seen burning.”
Israeli air strikes targeted the same town four times, whilst two strikes were reported in Toul (Nabatieh).
South Lebanon: ‘No information’ on what is happening inside Blat and Debbine
The mayor of Blat (Marjayoun) told our correspondent in southern Lebanon that he had "no confirmed information on what is happening inside Blat or the neighboring village of Debbine." "We are only receiving accounts relayed by residents of neighboring villages," he said.
“I do not believe that Israeli forces have entered the village of Blat, but it came under heavy artillery fire last night, and the village of Debbine was also badly hit,” he added.
Residents of Marjayoun, contacted by L’Orient-Le Jour, claimed to have seen Israeli tanks at the entrance to Debbine the previous day. They stated, however, that they did not know whether these tanks had entered the village and taken up positions there, or whether they had subsequently withdrawn. Residents say they were ordered not to go out due to the insecurity. They also reported that several artillery shells had targeted their village, damaging the church bell, as well as the church itself, and causing further damage.
Israeli strike on Shabriha earlier today kills 4 people
An Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Shabriha (Sour) earlier today killed four people, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israel targeted Kfar Tibnit and Toul, in the Nabatieh district, with airstrikes.
New wave of displacement following latest forced evacuation threats by Israel
Photo shared by our correspondent in southern Lebanon, Muntasser Abdallah.
Residents are fleeing the villages of Ansarieh, Kharayeb, Shabriha, Sarafand, Adloun, and Baissariyeh, following Israeli evacuation threats.
Continued Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon
Israel has carried out air strikes on Marj Harouf (Nabatieh), Haniyeh, Jwayya, Aitit, and Qleileh (Sour).
Hezbollah claimed to have targeted Israeli forces shortly after midnight as they attempted to advance near the Haddatha stadium, forcing them to turn back.
Israel orders evacuation of 6 villages in southern Lebanon
Israel has ordered the forced displacement of residents of the following six villages: Ansarieh, Khrayeb, Shabriha, Sarafand, Adloun, and Baissariyeh.
Israeli strone strikes kill 3 people in Tayr Debba and Abba
An Israeli drone strike on a motorbike in Tayr Debba killed two people, according to our correspondent in the region.
Another Israeli attack on Abba (Nabatieh) killed a municipal police officer.
Continuous Israeli artillery fire on Yohmor al-Shaqif and Arnoun
According to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, continuous Israeli artillery fire is targeting Yohmor al-Shaqif and Arnoun (Nabatieh).
Israeli strikes on Habboush (Nabatieh)
Israeli strikes targeted the village of Habboush this morning. The first strike hit the Hijazi building and vegetable shops; the second struck Rabih Halal’s house; and the third struck Fouad Hallak’s house, opposite Sheikh Abdel Hussein Nehmeh’s house.
No injuries have been reported at this stage, according to our correspondent in the region.
Israeli air strikes target Nabatieh, Kfar Roummane, and Zibdin
Israeli strike on Nabatieh Fawqa. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Israeli air strikes continue to target Nabatieh, Kfar Roummane, and Zibdin, reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon.
Israeli strikes targeted Nabatieh Fawqa, Kfar Joz, and Ali Taher (Nabatieh), and the outskirts of Qatrani (Jezzine).
A missile strike targeted Ain Qana, threatened earlier with a forced displacement order, but the missile did not explode, according to our correspondent.
Another strike targeted Jbaa, but the missile also did not explode.
Morning forced displacement threat for southern village of Ain Qana
Israel issued a forced evacuation threat for residents of the southern village of Ain Qana this morning.
War on Iran: Framework agreement in sight but yet to be finalized
The United States and Iran have drawn up a framework agreement aimed at bringing the U.S.-Israeli war, now in its fourth month, to an end, U.S. sources told AFP on Thursday, but Donald Trump has not yet approved it.
The Iranian news agency Tasnim, citing a source close to the negotiating team, denied the report. “This is false and the text has not yet been finalized,” it wrote.
On the other front of the war, in Lebanon, Israel has expanded its “combat zone” and continues its deadly strikes, even though an end to hostilities in all of Lebanon is a requirement set by Tehran for reaching an agreement.
Just as the negotiations appeared to be in jeopardy, sources in Washington reported a framework agreement with Iran that provides for a 60-day extension of the cease-fire in place since April 8, and still requires the U.S. president’s approval.
This announcement came after Iran and the U.S. exchanged strikes on Wednesday night, the most serious clashes since the truce came into force.
The news was first revealed by the U.S. website Axios, which reported that this preliminary agreement does not resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear program — which will be addressed at a later date — but includes a commitment from Iran not to seek to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Lebanon condemns Israeli attacks near its heritage sites
On Thursday, Lebanese authorities condemned Israeli attacks carried out near historic sites and UNESCO-listed monuments in the south of the country.
Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salameh, “has stepped up contacts with his counterparts around the world and relevant international organizations to draw their attention to the considerable damage caused to archaeological sites and heritage districts” in the south of the country, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Salameh specifically mentioned the ancient city of Sour and Beaufort Castle, located in the Nabatieh district, emphasizing that “many of these sites enjoy enhanced protection from UNESCO, which makes it imperative to preserve them from any Israeli air or artillery strikes.”
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated on X that “nothing can justify the ongoing attacks on the regions of Sour and Nabatieh, nor the destruction of their historic monuments.”
Israeli drone strike on Islamic Health Committee center in Maaroub kills 1
This morning, an Israeli drone strike targeted an Islamic Health Committee center in Maaroub, reports our correspondent in southern Lebanon. The strike killed one person, a resident of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr.
The Lebanese Army withdraws from area in Marjyoun following intensification of Israeli strikes
The Lebanese Army withdrew last night from a post in the Khiam triangle — Ibl al-Saqi — Debbine in Marjayoun, following the intensification of Israeli strikes on the town of Debbine, movements of Israeli army vehicles in the region, and a threat against residents of Jdeidet Marjayoun not to leave their homes.
Israeli overnight strikes on southern Lebanon
After midnight, artillery fire targeted the towns of Tibnin, Aita al-Jabal, Braasheet, Haris, and Kfar Dounin (Bint Jbeil).
The sound of gunfire and explosions was heard on the outskirts of Debbine.
An Israeli drone carried out a strike targeting the outskirts of the town of Ansar without causing any casualties.
Artillery fire continues targeting the areas around Nabatieh Fawqa, Mayfadoun, and Zibdin.
Hezbollah said it had targeted a grouping of Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in Qantara Square with a barrage of rockets at 11.50 p.m. yesterday.
After 1 a.m., two strikes targeted the vicinity of EDL on the outskirts of Jdeidet Marjayoun.
Artillery fire targeted the village of Kfar Roummane (Nabatieh).
Overnight movement of Israeli vehicles reported opposite Debbine
After 11 p.m. last night, two Israeli strikes targeted the village of Burj Qalaway (Bint Jbeil), and two others targeted the village of Debbine (Marjayoun). Artillery fire targeted Khirbet Selm (Bint Jbeil).
Continuous artillery bombardment involving dozens of shells targeted the towns of Blat and Debbine (Marjayoun), where Israeli vehicle movements were reported at the northern edge of the town of Khiam, opposite Debbine.
According to our correspondent in the region, Israel carried out strikes yesterday targeting 41 towns in the south with dozens of missiles, causing damage to property, shopping centers, and civilian infrastructure. Israeli drone strikes targeted 12 towns, whilst 11 others were subjected to intensive artillery bombardment.
For its part, Hezbollah carried out 18 attacks.
Hello and welcome to our live news blog
Welcome to our live coverage of events taking place in Lebanon and the wider region.
In Lebanon, heavy Israeli attacks continue across southern Lebanon, with the death toll rising daily and more people forced into displacement.
The cities of Nabatieh and Sour have been particular targets of Israeli fire, as strikes flatten residential buildings and entire families killed.
Yesterday, an Israeli strike on an apartment in Choueifat, southern Beirut, killed a woman and two children.
These attacks are all green-lighted by U.S. President Donald Trump, the same person in charge of mediating the "cease-fire," supposedly in place since April 17, and of mediating ongoing Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington.
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