‘Foreign forces near our territory face a constant risk,’ Araghchi warns
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X that foreign forces operating near Iran’s borders “are at constant risk,” in an apparent reference to the downing of a U.S. helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, which Washington has blamed on Tehran.
“The Strait of Hormuz is NOT international waters but is shared between Iran and Oman, and located thousands of miles away from U.S. shores. Our Powerful Armed Forces are on constant alert for any violation of Iran's airspace, land or waters,” the Iranian foreign minister wrote.
“Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents, or potentially being caught in crossfire. To reduce risk, the best solution is for foreign forces to exit,” he added.
He concluded by echoing remarks made earlier by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the chief negotiator of the Iranian delegation in Islamabad: “We prefer language of diplomacy but speak other languages too."
‘We may have to confront the Iranians alone,’ Netanyahu tells security cabinet
During a meeting of Israel’s inner security cabinet on Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel might have to continue the war against Iran without U.S. support.
“We may reach a situation in which we will have to confront the Iranians alone, without support from the United States, with all the costs that entails — in terms of weaponry and international isolation. We do not want to reach that point, but we know that we may,” he said, according to remarks reported by i24NEWS.
“As we currently see it, almost any agreement is a bad agreement,” Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly added, referring to the possibility of a deal between Iran and the United States despite the failure so far of negotiations in Islamabad.
'We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we are far more fluent in others,' warns Ghalibaf
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and chief negotiator of the Iranian delegation, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned the United States that Iran is prepared to resume war, after Donald Trump announced that the United States must respond after an American helicopter was shot down yesterday near the Strait of Hormuz.
“We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we'll switch to what we speak best. You ride the horse you saddled!” he wrote on X.
Israeli army publishes photos of an alleged Hezbollah weapons stockpile in a house in Zawtar Sharqieh
The Israeli army published a series of photos that it says shows a weapons stockpile belonging to Hezbollah fighters in a house in the village of Zawtar Sharqieh, north of the Litani River.
“The combat weapons found in the buildings include Kalashnikov-type rifles, missiles and anti-tank rocket launchers, magazines, grenades, communication devices, drones and other combat equipment,” the army said in a statement, stressing that Hezbollah uses “civilian infrastructure” to store its weapons.
Intense fighting has opposed Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon in recent weeks around the village of Zawtar. During these clashes, Hezbollah fighters entered certain houses in villages that had been emptied of their population, often heavily bombarded by the Israeli army.
Israeli warplanes strike heights of Jezzine district
At least six Israeli airstrikes targeted the Jabal Rihan and Iqlim al-Tuffah regions in the highlands of the Jezzine district, our correspondent reported. Six of the strikes hit Jabal Rafih, on the outskirts of Sojod, while a seventh strike targeted the outskirts of Roumineh.
Separately, an Israeli aircraft dropped a smoke grenade on Lebanese Army soldiers at the entrance to Khiam (Marjayoun district), exposing them to the inhalation of toxic substances.
One soldier was transferred to Marjayoun Hospital for treatment, according to our correspondent.
Additional Israeli strikes in south Lebanon wound 3 people, correspondent reports
A new Israeli drone strike targeted Al-Joundi Café on the Ansarieh highway (Saida district), wounding three people. Another strike hit the outskirts of the same village. In total, seven airstrikes targeted Ansarieh over the past hour.
Hezbollah claims new drone attacks in Sour
Hezbollah said it launched an attack drone at Israeli soldiers in the Iskandarouna area of Bayyada village (Sour district) at 12:30 p.m.
The group also claimed to have targeted an Israeli command center in Naqoura (Sour district) at 1 p.m.
Lebanon–Israel: Aoun and Macron hold phone call
The Lebanese presidency said on X that President Joseph Aoun discussed the overall situation in Lebanon and the region during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon.
The conversation focused on developments in U.S.-mediated negotiations between Lebanon and Israel aimed at ending the military escalation and restoring calm and stability in Lebanon, the presidency said.
According to the statement, Macron reaffirmed “France’s support for Lebanon and its people.” Aoun thanked him for “the assistance France has provided to Lebanon and the Lebanese people during the difficult circumstances facing the country.”
Israeli drone strikes kill 1 Syrian, seriously wounds another in Ansarieh
As Israeli drones continued carrying out strikes in Ansarieh, south of Saida, a motorcycle traveling on the highway was hit, killing one of its passengers, a Syrian national, and seriously wounding another Syrian passenger.
Calls circulated on social media urging residents not to travel to Ansarieh or the neighboring villages of Saksakieh and Adloun (Saida district), as “armed drones are targeting anyone heading toward these villages,” according to our correspondent.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes bombed the towns of Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr (Nabatieh district), Aramta and Sojod (Jezzine district). Another drone strike was reported in Jibsheet (Nabatieh district).
Trump promises to 'respond' after 'Iranians shot down' a US helicopter.
In a post on X, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran of shooting down a U.S. Apache attack helicopter, which crashed while patrolling near the Strait of Hormuz overnight.
I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Archbishops of Sour sound alarm over the Old City
The three archbishops of Sour have issued an urgent appeal regarding what they describe as a “dangerous escalation,” calling for the protection of the city’s Old City from any destruction.
The archbishops — Georges Iskandar, Elias Kfoury, and Charbel Abdallah — urged the Lebanese authorities to act immediately to safeguard the historic area.
They called on President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, and Army Commander General Rodolf Haykal to take urgent action to protect the Old City of Sour from destruction.
The prelates stressed that the Old City is “not merely a residential area,” but the “historical and human heart” of the city, home to thousands of civilians and a cultural and religious heritage spanning centuries. Any damage to it, they warned, would amount to a “human and national catastrophe with irreversible consequences.”
They also called for political, diplomatic, and security mobilization to protect civilians and ensure living conditions in the city, while urging the international community to assume its responsibilities in safeguarding civilians in line with international humanitarian law.
They concluded that the people of Sour “deserve life and safety, not fear and destruction,” calling for immediate action before it is too late.
Five Israeli drone strikes target Ansarieh in under 45 minutes
A series of Israeli drone strikes targeted the village of Ansarieh (Saida). The first strike hit the village directly.
Subsequently, the Israeli army reportedly prevented access to the site by carrying out four additional drone strikes against moving targets in the area, hindering the arrival of rescue teams, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.
Separately, an Israeli drone strike targeted a water pumping station in the Marj al-Khokh area, between the villages of Khiam and Ibl (Marjayoun district).
Israeli warplanes also bombed the village of Kafra.
In parallel, Israeli artillery fire also targeted the village of Kfar Roummane.
Israeli drones were also reported to be continuously flying over villages in the Zahrani region, as well as across the districts of Nabatieh, Saida, and Sour.
Two more killed in south Lebanon, new Israeli strikes on Sour
Israeli strikes on an area near the al-Rafai mosque in Sour around midday killed two young men, identified as Mohammad Abou Sahyoun and Khodor Atoui, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.
In addition, Israeli aircraft carried out two further strikes on the town of Buss on the outskirts of Sour.
Other strikes also targeted the banks of the Litani River in the Khardali area (Nabatieh).
Meanwhile, the outskirts of the village of Yater were hit by five Israeli artillery shells.
Cooper says Hezbollah dragging Lebanon into war
UK Foreign Office Minister Yvette Cooper strongly condemned “Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, including on communities in the north of the country,” during a session in the House of Commons earlier today.
“At Iran's instigation, Hezbollah, a prescribed organization, is dragging Lebanon into a war that is against the interests of its people and its government. It must end this dangerous attack and disarm," she said. She stressed that the "U.S. brokered cease-fire in Lebanon must be properly observed by all parties."
"Over the last 48 hours, we have made clear the need for urgent de-escalation, because a resumption of conflict is in no one's interest, and I spoke to the Iranian Foreign Minister on Sunday evening to convey this directly," she said referring to the exchange of fire that took place between Iran and Israel on Sunday and Monday.
Israeli chief of staff says recent strikes on Iran were 'preparation for a larger attack'
Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that Monday’s Israeli airstrikes on Iran were “preparation for a much larger and more powerful strike.” Speaking to soldiers during a training exercise in northern Israel, he said his forces were “ready to return and deliver another severe and large-scale strike against Iran.”
According to him, the Israeli army “continues to maintain immediate operational readiness and preparedness for the resumption of operations in Iran.”
Metula mayor urges army to 'remove all restraints' in Lebanon after border shooting
David Azoulay, the mayor of the Israeli border town of Metula, called on Israel to “remove all restraints” in Lebanon after a suspected Hezbollah fighter infiltrated northern Israel and was shot dead by Israeli troops, Haaretz reported.
“This is further proof that there is no security, even after nearly three years of war in the north, even when the army has created a kind of buffer zone,” he said. The Israeli army should “carry out a deep cleansing throughout southern Lebanon, make Hezbollah pay the price for its audacity and for attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory, and make it clear that these incidents will not go unanswered,” he added.
Earlier in the afternoon, an armed man, possibly a Hezbollah fighter, crossed the border into Israeli territory, where he was killed in a shootout with Israeli forces. “Our forces neutralized him shortly after he crossed into Israeli territory,” the army said in a statement.
Washington investigating whether Iran shot down US helicopter that crashed near Strait of Hormuz
The Pentagon is investigating whether Iran shot down the U.S. Apache attack helicopter that crashed overnight near the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials and a third source familiar with the matter.
Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said its forces had rescued two crew members after the helicopter “crashed off the coast of Oman while conducting a patrol in regional waters.”
Health Ministry says 29 more people killed in the past 24 hours
In its latest daily update, the Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed 29 more people and injured 133 others over the past 24 hours.
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 3,666 people and injured 11,321 since the resumption of the war on March 2.
Person wounded from Israeli airstrike on Ansarieh succumbs to his wounds; Israeli airstrikes continue in south Lebanon
The person who was wounded as a result of the Israeli airstrike that targeted the village of Ansarieh (Saida district) earlier has succumbed to his wounds. He was identified as Wissam Abou Rayya from the village of Tefahta.
Moreover, one of the people killed in the Israeli airstrike on the area of al-Masaken in Sour was identified as Amal Movement member Oussama Fouad Abbas.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes have carried out new strikes in South Lebanon, targeting the villages of Kfour (Nabatieh district), and Aitit (Sour). Israeli drone strikes have also been reported on the villages of Mansouri (Sour), Haboush, and the road between Qsaybeh and Aadsheet (Nabatieh).
Hezbollah says it fired drones at Israeli targets in Qantara
Hezbollah said that it fired an Ababil drone at an Israeli force that positioned in a building at Tallet al-Salaa in the village of Qantara (Marjayoun) at 12:30 pm. The group added that it fired another Ababil drone at an Israeli communication vehicle in the same area at 12:50 pm.
The group also said that it fired a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli Hermes 450-Zik drone over the region of Iqlim al-Tuffah at 11:50 am, "forcing to retreat."
Israel kills 'infiltrator' crossing from Lebanon, army reports
The Israeli army says it killed an armed individual who crossed the Blue Line from Lebanon into Israeli territory, in the Ramim Ridge area near the town of Manara, opposite the Lebanese village of Houla.
“Shortly ago, an initial report was received regarding gunfire directed at army forces operating in the Ramim Ridge area. The forces opened fire and neutralized a terrorist in the area, with no injuries among our forces. The incident is ongoing,” the army said in a statement.
Israeli authorities also called on residents of nearby communities, including Misgav Am, Margaliot and Manara, to “remain indoors and follow the instructions of the Israeli army.”
Israel authorizes strikes on Beirut in response to any Hezbollah fire into its territory
Israel’s security cabinet has authorized the military to launch strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs “in response to any rocket fire from Lebanon entering Israeli territory, without requiring political approval,” according to Israeli Channel 14.
Tel Aviv has for several weeks signaled its intention to impose this new equation, as its troops continue expanding their ground offensive northward in south Lebanon.
The threat was already carried out on Sunday, after a Hezbollah projectile crossed the border, prompting Israeli warplanes to bomb Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time since April 17. This triggered an immediate Iranian attack on Israel, to which Israel responded overnight from Sunday to Monday.
Since then, no rocket or drone fire toward northern Israel has been claimed by Hezbollah.
Israeli drone strikes target West Bekaa
Israeli drone strikes have targeted the heights of Mashghara toward the village of Niha in the West Bekaa.
Residents of several villages in Northern Israel ordered to shelter in place due to 'security incident'
Residents of several communities on Israel's border with Lebanon were ordered to shelter in place due to a "security incident", according to Haaretz.
"[The villages] of Misgav Am, Margaliot and Menara are to act according to the directive of the Israeli army, stay at home and not roam around the community," the warning reads.
"Road 886 from Yiftah to Menara and the north part of Tel Hai junction before Ramim Ridgeis are closed to traffic," the Upper Galilee Security Department said.
Gathering in 'in gratitude to Iran' to be held in front of Iranian Embassy in Beirut this evening
A call circulated for a gathering in Beirut in front of the Iranian Embassy this evening at 8:30 pm, to praise the Iranian people after Iran attacked Israel in retaliation to the Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The call urges the "free and honorable people" to attend the event, framing it as a "gesture of gratitude."
The call was not signed by any political group and it remains unclear who is organizing it.
Israeli strike on Sour's al-Masaken kills at least 8 people, injures 32
The health ministry stated that "the Israeli strike on the al-Masaken neighborhood in the city of Sour has resulted, in a preliminary toll, in 8 people killed and 32 injured," adding that debris removal operations are still ongoing.
Israeli warplanes strike Sour again, injure at least 4
Israeli warplanes have carried out a strike targeting the agricultural area between al-Buss area and the area of al-Masaken in Sour, leaving four injured so far.
Israeli airstrikes have also targeted a house in the neighborhood of Sekran in Harouf (Nabatieh district) and carried out an intense strike on Kauthariet al-Rez (Saida), behind the village's public school. Israeli warplanes have also struck the village of Nabatieh al-Fawqa.
Meanwhile, Israeli drone have been flying over the city of Saida at a low altitude.
Israeli airstrikes continue in south Lebanon, injures 1 in Ansarieh
An Israeli drone strike has targeted a car in the village of Ansarieh (Saida) near the field of "al-Saloub." leaving one injured.
Israeli airstrikes have also targeted the villages of Braasheet, Haris (Bint Jbeil district), the vicinity of Khar Dali, and the area between Yohmor al-Shaqif and Arnoun (Nabatieh).
Meanwhile, the village of Mansouri (Sour) has been subjected to continuous Israeli artillery shelling.
UN probe accuses Israel of enabling settler violence, flags Hamas abuses
A U.N. inquiry accuses Israeli authorities of enabling settler violence in the occupied West Bank, citing financial and military support and a climate of impunity. The report says attacks on Palestinians have surged since 2023, with security forces often accompanying settlers.
It also documents serious abuses by Hamas in Gaza, including executions and severe violence, which it says amount to war crimes.
Find out more about the probe 👉here.
Death toll from strikes on Sour’s 'popular districts' rises to 5
The preliminary toll from Israeli air raids targeting several residential buildings in Sour’s “popular districts” earlier this morning, before the renewed evacuation order issued by the Israeli army, has risen to 5 killed and 34 wounded.
According to our correspondent in the south, remains have also been recovered from the rubble, with identities still unconfirmed.
Among the 34 wounded, three required surgical intervention. Civil Defense and rescue teams are continuing search and debris-removal operations at the struck buildings.
Two senior Iranian air force officials killed in Tehran, state media says
Two senior officials in Iran’s air force are killed on Monday in Tehran, according to Iranian state television, which reports that their funerals will take place on Tuesday.
The announcement comes after exchanges of strikes between Iran and Israel on Sunday night and Monday. Iran had launched missiles toward northern Israel late Sunday, in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Tensions have since eased, according to reports, following mediation efforts led by the United States.
Double strike in Sharqiyeh leaves civil defense rescuers wounded
Two members of civil defense were wounded in a double strike on Sharqieh in the Nabatieh district, the agency said in a statement.
A team had been dispatched to the site after an initial drone strike hit the village square, when it was then targeted by a missile. Two rescuers were “lightly wounded” and transferred to hospital.
Israeli strikes on Sour kill 4 and injure 11 in preliminary toll
Four people are killed and 11 others injured after Israeli bombardments on Sour’s “popular districts,” according to a medical source cited by our correspondent in the south.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with several people still trapped under the rubble. One of the victims has been identified as Hani Dalbani.
Israeli aviation also bombarded Aita al-Jabal (Nabatieh) and the banks of the Khardali area between Nabatieh and Marjayoun.
Hezbollah says it targets Israeli advance north of buffer zone in Byout al-Siyyad
Hezbollah says it carried out a rocket attack on an Israeli armored force attempting to advance between Bayada and Byout al-Siyyad “under heavy fire cover.”
According to the group, Israeli troops later retreated toward Bayada after the attack.
Byout al-Siyyad lies north of the de facto buffer zone established by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon.
Drone strike kills one on motorcycle in Msayleh south of Saida
A person is killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a motorcycle in Msayleh, south of Saida, according to our correspondent in South Lebanon.
A drone also targets a car in the main square of Sharqieh in the Nabatieh district, while bombardments hit Srifa (Sour), Burj Qalaway and Yater (Bint Jbeil).
Our report from Sour's Christian enclave, a 'microcosm of Lebanon at war'
A motorcyclist passes in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary in the old port of Sour’s Christian quarter, on June 1, 2026, in south Lebanon. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient-Le Jour)
The Christian quarter of Sour, which had not so far been included in successive Israeli evacuation orders for the city, has been continuously receiving new displaced people fleeing other parts of the city and the surrounding region.
➡️ (Re-)read here our reporter Caroline Hayek’s report from Sour’s Christian enclave, a microcosm of Lebanon at war.
Israeli strike kills one in Sour’s popular housing district; 2 remain missing
Two Israeli airstrikes carried out around 9:20 a.m. on Sour’s popular housing district kill one person, whose body is recovered from the rubble by rescue teams, while two others remain missing.
The strikes target buildings inhabited by the Sahyoun, Wehbeh, Askar and Kheir families, according to our correspondent.
Shortly before 10 a.m., artillery fire also targets Srifa (Sour) and then Froun (Bint Jbeil), while an Israeli airstrike directly hits Bouyout al-Siyad (Sour).
Sour bombed even before evacuation order; two killed in Kfar Roummane
Israeli warplanes had already carried out several strikes on the city of Sour before the evacuation order was issued, targeting the “popular housing” neighborhood (al-massaken al-shaabiya).
Four raids hit residential buildings in the area, according to our correspondent, who added that ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Separately, a drone strike on Kfar Roummane (Nabatieh) killed two people, while additional air strikes targeted Kfar Sir in the same region, as well as Haddatha (Bint Jbeil).
Israel orders evacuation of Sour and surrounding areas
The Israeli army has ordered the evacuation of the entire city of Sour and its surroundings, including the Christian neighborhood that had so far been spared threats and bombardment, ahead of expected strikes.
In a post on X, Arabic-language military spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on residents across the area to “move north of the Zahrani River,” which flows into the sea more than 25 kilometers north of Sour.
He accused Hezbollah of being present “in the Christian neighborhood,” repeating claims made in recent days, and warned that strikes against the group would take place “in the near future.”
The localities included in the evacuation order are Shabriha, Hamdieh, Jal Al-Bahr, Zkouk al-Mafdi, al-Bass, Maashouq, Burj al-Shemali, Nabaa, Hosh, Rashidieh and Ain Baal.
The evacuation zone outlined in the map published by Adraee covers an area of approximately 20 square kilometers.
Israel says intercepted “suspicious aerial target coming from Yemen”
The Israeli army said it intercepted a “suspicious aerial target coming from Yemen” early this morning in the south of the country, with no injuries reported.
“A suspicious aerial target coming from Yemen was intercepted. The incident is over. No injuries were reported,” the army said, adding that the interception took place in the Eilat area.
Trump says pilots safe after US army Apache goes down near Hormuz
Donald Trump said the two pilots of an Apache combat helicopter were unharmed after reports by The New York Times that their aircraft had crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The cause of the crash is not yet known.
“The pilots are fine, yes. Nobody is injured,” he said, adding that a report would be released later.
Nearly 40 Israeli strikes targeted 25 villages across south Lebanon on Monday, according to our correspondent
Israeli drones struck six villages, while artillery shelled 19 others. White phosphorus munitions were reportedly used in at least one location. The Israeli army also continued demolishing homes in at least four villages.
For its part, Hezbollah carried out 16 attacks on Monday, the last at 7:30 p.m., targeting gatherings of Israeli soldiers in occupied Lebanese territory, mostly around Beaufort Castle.
Gunfire and machine-gun bursts were heard around Yater (Bint Jbeil), in the strategic Wadi Houjeir valley (Marjayoun), and near Ghandourieh
The Israeli army has been attempting for several days to cross the valley from occupied eastern-sector villages and advance toward Ghandourieh, while Hezbollah has recently reported clashes in the area.
A heavy Israeli 'ring of fire' struck Abbassieh, north of Sour, on Tuesday morning, injuring 2 people who were rescued by Civil Defense teams
Earlier strikes had already targeted Abbassieh and Rmadieh, while a separate strike hit Deir Qanoun Ras al-Ain, wounding one person.
In the Nabatieh district, two people were killed in a raid on Kfar Roummane, while a drone fired two missiles at the town. Roads in the region have been heavily targeted by drones in recent days, severely restricting movement.
Overnight, Israeli artillery struck Qsaybeh and Ali Taher hill, as well as Shehour, Srifa, Mansouri, Touline and Qalawieh. A helicopter swept areas around Zawtar Sharqieh and Zawtar Gharbieh. Around midnight, shells hit the outskirts of Kfar Shuba, while artillery also targeted Kfar Sir.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of developments in Lebanon, where the south and the Bekaa remain under Israeli bombardment, with part of the territory still occupied.
We will also follow developments in Iran, as Donald Trump said he is in his "final throes” to secure an agreement following recent exchanges of strikes between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Catch up on what you missed yesterday and what to keep an eye out for today by reading our 👉Morning Brief.
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