Iran rules out signing deal with U.S. within next 24 hours; senior U.S. official says ‘solid agreement’ reached with Tehran | LIVE

Israeli strike targeting Ansar killed one person

The Israeli airstrike that targeted the village of Ansar (Saida district) this afternoon has killed at least one person, identified as Saleh Ali al-Masri, according to our correspondent in the South.

Meanwhile, two new Israeli airstrikes have targeted the village of Kouthriet al-Rizz (Saida).

Israeli army strike Baraasheet, shells western Bekaa

Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike on the village of Baraasheet (Bint Jbeil district), according to our correspondent in the region.

In western Bekaa, Israeli artillery fire targeted the outskirts of Qlaya and Zilaya, according to our Bekaa correspondent.

‘We believe we have reached an agreement with Iran,’ senior U.S. official tells Reuters

“We believe we have reached an agreement with Iran. It is a solid agreement,” a senior U.S. administration official told Reuters.

Israeli attacks killed 45 people and wounded 149

According to a statement issued by Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks killed 45 people and wounded 149 over the past 48 hours as a result of Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The ministry said that 3,756 people have been killed and 11,632 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2.

Hezbollah claims attack on Israeli position in Maroun al-Ras

Hezbollah said it launched a volley of rockets at 12:20 p.m. against a newly established Israeli army position in Maroun al-Ras.

Israeli drones fly over the Bekaa

Israeli drones were reported flying over Baalbeck, Nabi Sheet, Majdaloun, Eiat and Douris, according to our Bekaa correspondent.

Situation in southern Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike targeted Kfar Tebnit (Nabatieh district).

Hezbollah said it had attacked Israeli soldiers on the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit.

Israeli strikes on the Jezzine and Nabatieh districts

Israeli warplanes struck a house in Rihane (Jezzine district), according to our correspondent in the region.

The Israeli army demolished a building in Kfar Rummane (Nabatieh district), causing no injuries.

Iran rules out signing agreement with the United States within the next 24 hours

Iran has ruled out signing an agreement with the United States within the next 24 hours, according to AFP.

Rajji: Lebanon issue must be separated from Iran issue in negotiations

Lebanese Foreign Minister Joe Rajji said the Lebanon file must be “separated from the Iran issue” in ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, as the war between Hezbollah and Israel continues and Tehran has made a cease-fire in Lebanon a key condition for any broader agreement with Washington.

“The Lebanon issue must be separated from the Iran issue. We do not accept that anyone negotiate on our behalf or sign agreements in our name. That would inevitably be to our detriment,” Rajji told Le Figaro yesterday.

“It is also a matter of the country’s sovereignty and the independence of our decisions. Moreover, the courageous decision of the president of the republic to negotiate directly with Israel, under U.S. auspices, has proven that we can pursue an independent path,” he added.

Several wounded in Israeli airstrike between Ansar and Sinai

An Israeli airstrike targeted the Zayyata area between the villages of Ansar and Sinai (Saida district), destroying a house and wounding several people, according to our correspondent in the South.

Israeli warplanes also struck the village of Majdal Zoun (Sour district).

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed an attack carried out yesterday at 11 a.m., saying it launched a squadron of attack drones at Israeli vehicles and drones west of the newly established Blat position.

Lebanese Army says Israeli drone seriously wounded soldier

The Lebanese Army said in a statement that an Israeli drone targeted one of its soldiers, seriously wounding him.

“An Israeli hostile drone targeted a Lebanese Army soldier as he was moving near Al-Najda Hospital in Nabatieh, without injuring him. It then struck him again on the road linking Kfar Remmane and Nabatieh, causing severe injuries,” the statement said.

Our correspondent had previously reported the strike, noting that the drone targeted the soldier while he was riding a motorcycle.

Tanker struck by unidentified projectile east of Oman

A tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile on its port bow off the coast of Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said today, according to Reuters.

UKMTO said the incident occurred yesterday, six nautical miles east of Oman. The crew is reported safe, no environmental damage has been reported and the vessel continued toward its next port of call.

Air raid sirens activated in Margaliot

The Israeli military said air raid sirens sounded in Margaliot, northern Israel, following a possible hostile aircraft infiltration, Reuters reported.

Israeli drone strikes near rescue team in Seddiqine

An Israeli drone struck near a team from the al-Rissala Scouts and the Islamic Health Committee in the village of Seddiqine (Sour district) as they were inspecting damage caused by an earlier strike on the village.

No injuries were reported, and the rescue teams withdrew from the area.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes targeted the villages of Toul and Kfour (Nabatieh district), according to our correspondent in the South. Israeli artillery also shelled the village of Zibqine (Sour district).

Pakistani prime minister says U.S.-Iran peace deal expected within 24 hours

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday that the United States and Iran have agreed on a framework for a peace deal aimed at ending the months-long conflict in the Middle East, with a final text already completed.

He added that Pakistan is now preparing for an online signing expected within the next 24 hours, to be followed by technical discussions next week.

Israeli army orders evacuation of four more villages in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army ordered the evacuation of four additional villages in southern Lebanon, hours after warning residents of 20 other villages.

The newly threatened villages are Ghassanieh, Zrarieh, Mazraaet Kawthriet al-Rez and Sir al-Gharbieh. The first three are located in the Saida district, while Sir al-Gharbieh is in the Nabatieh district.

“You must evacuate your homes immediately and head north of the Zahrani River,” Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a statement posted on X.

Online footage appears to show Lebanese Army evacuating Kfar Tebnit barracks

According to footage circulating online, the Lebanese Army appears to have evacuated its barracks near the Kfar Tebnit crossing point. Military vehicles were seen traveling along the Khardali road.

The army has not yet confirmed the report.

Israeli strikes and artillery shelling reported in several southern villages

Israeli warplanes struck the villages of Seddiqine (Sour district), Qalawieh and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, according to our correspondent.

Meanwhile, an Israeli drone struck Deir Zahrani, while Israeli artillery shelled Kfar Tebnit and Khirbet Selem.

Late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to be buried July 9

Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly 37 years before being killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes on Feb. 28, will be buried July 9 in Mashhad, in northeastern Iran, state television reported today.

Funeral ceremonies, originally scheduled for March but postponed because of the war, will take place over six days beginning July 4 in Tehran and the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, his hometown.

Bassil: Even if Hezbollah is wrong, Israel’s actions cannot be justified

MP Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, said Friday night that “Hezbollah has been making mistakes since it opened the front in support of Gaza” in 2023.

However, those mistakes, committed “by one Lebanese faction, do not justify siding with Israel or allowing it to occupy Lebanese territory and threaten Lebanese citizens,” he said.

Salam: Hezbollah is a Lebanese political force that must honor its commitments

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday called on Hezbollah, which he considers “a Lebanese political force,” to support the direct negotiations being conducted by Lebanese authorities with Israel.

“If you are truly concerned about what you call your environment and the suffering of your environment, all that is being asked of you is to honor your commitments. We are not asking for anything more,” Salam told Reuters.

“Our problem with Hezbollah is its weapons. We consider the party a Lebanese political force and we want it to honor its Lebanese commitments. All we ask is that it keep its promises,” he added.

“Hezbollah must move faster than us, or at least keep pace with us, and announce its support for the negotiations we are conducting in Washington,” Salam said.

A Lebanese source familiar with the discussions told Reuters that Tehran was irritated by Beirut’s decision to negotiate independently with Israel, viewing it as the loss of an important bargaining chip in its confrontation with Washington.

Aoun: Lebanon faces two choices — unity around a sovereign state or the logic of militias

President Joseph Aoun said today that Lebanon faces two choices: Unity around a strong state or the logic of militias, as Hezbollah continues to oppose direct negotiations with Israel aimed at ending the war.

“Lebanon today faces a decisive choice: either its children unite around a sovereign state, the sole holder of weapons, where law and the protection of citizens prevail regardless of affiliation or position; or the country remains a prisoner of the logic of militias and the culture of exclusion,” Aoun wrote on X.

He added that “we are living in a moment that allows neither sectarian calculations nor regional rivalries. National unity is no longer just a slogan raised at ceremonies; it is an existential necessity built through frankness, strengthened by justice and rooted in fairness toward all components of the people, without exception.”

Aoun: Lebanon faces two choices — unity around a sovereign state or the logic of militias

President Joseph Aoun said today that Lebanon faces two choices: Unity around a strong state or the logic of militias, as Hezbollah continues to oppose direct negotiations with Israel aimed at ending the war.

“Lebanon today faces a decisive choice: either its children unite around a sovereign state, the sole holder of weapons, where law and the protection of citizens prevail regardless of affiliation or position; or the country remains a prisoner of the logic of militias and the culture of exclusion,” Aoun wrote on X.

He added that “we are living in a moment that allows neither sectarian calculations nor regional rivalries. National unity is no longer just a slogan raised at ceremonies; it is an existential necessity built through frankness, strengthened by justice and rooted in fairness toward all components of the people, without exception.”

Hezbollah claims two drone attacks on Israeli military vehicles in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah said it launched two Ababil drones at two Israeli military vehicles in southern Lebanon.

At 7 a.m., it targeted a vehicle in the riverbed on the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqieh (Nabatieh district). Thirty minutes later, it targeted a second vehicle on Salaa Hill near Qantara (Marjayoun district).

The group said it carried out the attacks in response to Israeli cease-fire violations and as part of its “legitimate right to resist occupation and liberate land.”

Hezbollah MP calls on Lebanese authorities to rethink position in talks with Israel

Hezbollah MP Ali Fayad said discussions over a possible U.S.-Iran agreement to end the war, including its implications for Lebanon, should prompt Lebanese authorities to reconsider their position in the ongoing direct Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington.

Speaking at a Hezbollah memorial ceremony in Dohat al-Hoss (Aley district), Fayad criticized the negotiations, saying they had become trapped in “Israeli blackmail,” deepened Lebanon’s crisis instead of resolving it and weakened the country’s position in the face of Israeli attacks.

“The authorities must have the courage to admit they have reached a dead end and are moving along a path with no clear horizon,” he added.

Israeli army orders evacuation of 20 villages in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army ordered residents of 20 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately and move north of the Zahrani River.

The villages include Deir Zahrani, Arabsalim, Nmairieh, Sharqieh, Doueir, Harouf, Jarjouaa, Habbouch, Kfarjoz, Zebdine, Nabatieh al-Tahta, Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Rummane in the Nabatieh district, as well as Mahmoudieh, Sejod, Rihane, Aaramta, Kfarhouna, Mlikh and Louaizeh in the Jezzine district.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced the order on X.

Israeli army says it intercepted aerial target from Lebanon

The Israeli army said its air force intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” after it crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory and triggered alerts in Metula and Misgav.

The army added that interception attempts also triggered rocket and missile alerts.

Israeli army kills 2 in Kfar Rummane

Israeli forces demolished structures in Tiri (Bint Jbeil district), while an Israeli drone struck Aramta (Jezzine district). Israeli troops also detonated two houses in Khiam (Marjayoun district).

An Israeli strike killed two people in Kfar Rummane at dawn, and rescue teams continue searching for possible missing persons.

Current and former mukhtars killed in southern Lebanon

Israeli strikes hit Rihane, a vehicle near the Kfarhouna junction dam and Majdal Zoun.

A missile struck the vehicle of Rihane mukhtar Ali Badih Hussein, killing him.

In a separate strike, an Israeli drone killed former mukhtar Ismail Abdallah, an Electricité du Liban employee, outside his home while he watered his crops.

Additional Israeli air raids on Rihane forced remaining families to flee the village.

Israeli drone kills man visiting his father’s grave killed in Maarakeh

A drone strike in Maarakeh killed Mohammad Trad, a resident of the village, while he was visiting his father’s grave in the local cemetery.

Lebanese soldiers trapped inside their barracks in Kfar Tebnit

According to L’Orient-Le Jour’s correspondent, Lebanese Army soldiers are surrounded inside their barracks in Kfar Tebnit due to ongoing fighting in the area.

The exact position of Israeli forces remains unclear, but they are confirmed to be present in Kfar Tebnit after overnight battles involving tank artillery and air strikes.

According to L’Orient-Le Jour’s correspondent, Lebanese Army soldiers are surrounded inside their barracks in Kfar Tebnit due to ongoing fighting in the area.

The exact position of Israeli forces remains unclear, but they are confirmed to be present in Kfar Tebnit after overnight battles involving tank artillery and air strikes.

Israeli strikes continue across southern Lebanon

• 6:00 a.m.: Air strike on Kfar Rummane.
• After 7:00 a.m.: Air strike on Kfour (Nabatieh district).
• Drone strike on a cemetery in Maarakeh (Sour district), killing one person.
• 8:00 a.m.: Artillery shelling of Srifa (Sour district).

The region has witnessed a major military escalation centered on Nabatieh and Sour, with increasing Israeli air and artillery attacks alongside attempted ground advances and heavy clashes with Hezbollah fighters.

Yesterday’s toll

According to local reporting:

• Israeli warplanes struck 24 southern Lebanese localities yesterday.
• Drones targeted six localities.
• Intensive artillery fire targeted 19 localities.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, announced 16 attacks against Israeli military positions and troop concentrations in occupied Lebanese territory.

Heavy fighting around Kfar Tebnit, Arnoun, and Ali Taher hills

Fighting continued throughout the night, including:

• Artillery strikes on Ali Taher hills.
• Shelling near Nabatieh’s government hospital.
• Strikes on Israeli vehicles near a strategic crossing northeast of Kfar Tebnit.
• Airstrikes on Deir Zahrani, Sammaiyeh Maaliyeh, and areas around Sour.
• Ongoing bombardment of Kfar Rummane, Kfar Tebnit, and surrounding areas.

Military operations continued until dawn amid heavy air and artillery bombardment and attempted ground advances.

Clashes around Kfar Tebnit

After midnight, an Israeli drone reportedly flew over Arab Salim broadcasting frog sounds between houses, in what local sources described as a psychological warfare tactic similar to previous incidents involving tank-track noises intended to suggest Israeli troop presence.

At the same time:

• Israeli helicopters carried out intense fire missions on the Ali Taher hills.
• Israeli vehicles attempted to maneuver around Kfar Tebnit via Arnoun and Zafata toward the Khardali road.
• Heavy clashes broke out involving rockets, artillery shells, and explosive drones.

Attempted overnight advance toward Ali Taher hill

Beginning around 10:30 p.m. yesterday:

• Artillery targeted Majdal Zoun, Mansouri, Bayout al-Sayyad, and Ali Taher hill.
• Israeli aircraft struck Majdal Zoun, Maaroub, Arnoun, and Kfar Tebnit.
• Phosphorus shells reportedly hit Ali Taher hill.
• Hezbollah said it repelled an Israeli advance along the Arnoun axis and forced troops to retreat.

U.S. says it shot down Iranian drones despite optimism over a peace deal

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran launched several attack drones targeting commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CENTCOM, all the drones were intercepted and destroyed by U.S. forces, and maritime traffic through the strait remains unaffected.

The incident comes despite statements from Tehran, Washington, and Pakistani mediators expressing optimism about reaching an agreement to end the wider Middle East conflict.

Welcome to our live coverage of developments in Lebanon, where southern Lebanon and the Bekaa continue to face heavy Israeli military operations, while we also monitor broader regional developments, particularly in Iran.