Trump says Strait of Hormuz will reopen after the Iran deal is signed on Friday
Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen after the signing of a peace agreement with Iran on Friday, seemingly contradicting one of his previous messages which suggested the immediate reopening of this strategic sea route.
"With the opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the region, and the world," the U.S. president wrote on his Truth Social platform, who had previously announced the reopening of the strait as well as the "immediate" lifting of the U.S. naval blockade.
"This Great Deal will bring Peace and Security to the whole Region," he also said.
UN chief Guterres welcomes US-Iran peace deal as 'critical step'
Strikes on Beirut southern suburbs: Iran cancels retaliatory strikes on Israel
Iran has called off its planned attack this evening against Israel in retaliation for strikes carried out earlier today on Beirut's southern suburbs, which killed three people, according to the New York Times. Tehran decided to cancel the retaliatory strikes following an intervention by US President Donald Trump, who, through mediators, called on Iran to exercise restraint, according to three Iranian officials who requested anonymity.
Some of the officials who held discussions on the possibility of a response felt that striking Israel would be playing into the hands of Israel by jeopardizing a peace agreement between Tehran and Washington.
Last Sunday, an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs triggered an exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel.
Qatar welcomes US-Iran agreement and calls for negotiations to continue 'in a positive and constructive spirit'
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran on X. He also thanked Pakistan, "as well as to all regional and international parties that contributed to creating the conditions conducive to reaching this understanding."
"We look forward to all parties engaging in the forthcoming negotiations in a positive and constructive spirit that will help consolidate this progress and build upon it," he added.
Abdulrahman further reaffirmed that Qatar " will remain a steadfast supporter of these efforts and of all endeavours aimed at strengthening security and stability at the regional and international levels through dialogue and peaceful means."
Iran 'keeps its finger on the trigger' and confirms the end of the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and 'military operations' in Lebanon
Following the announcement of an agreement between Iran and the United States, made by the Pakistani Prime Minister and then by Donald Trump, Iranian state television claimed that Tehran was able to "force" the United States to accept the peace agreement.
According to Iran's Fars news agency, it has been decided that maritime traffic in the Gulf will be regulated by Iran in coordination with Oman.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, for his part, announced the, "immediate and permanent end of the war and military operations on various fronts, including in Lebanon."
The deputy minister, quoted by Tasnim, further asserted that the U.S. naval blockade against Iran would end that evening and that the text of the memorandum of understanding would be published after the official signing, announced for June 19 by Islamabad. According to him, negotiations for a final agreement are scheduled to last 60 days and will focus on lifting U.S. sanctions.
Macron says G7 will discuss long-term reopening of Strait of Hormuz
US-Iran agreement: Vance says plans to attend Iran signing in Geneva, 'possible' Trump could
'The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete ... Let the oil flow,' Trump writes on Truth Social
"The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow," U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
Pakistan announces peace agreement between the United States and Iran, including Lebanon, to be signed on June 19
“Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on X. He indicated that the official signing ceremony will take place on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.
In his message, Shebaz Sharif thanked the United States and Iran "for their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict." "We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in this mediation effort, the great leadership of State of Qatar, for their support in reaching this agreement," he added. " I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Turkey for their immense contributions in this regard."
Shebaz Sharif also indicated that "mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week." "These pre-implementation discussions will lay the foundation for the technical talks and the official signing ceremony," he concluded.
Guterres condemns Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs at a 'crucial moment' in negotiations
UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs earlier and urged "all parties to show maximum restraint at this crucial moment" in negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.
“I strongly condemn today’s Israeli strikes on Beirut. These strikes took place in spite of the ceasefire and “at a time when the U.S. and Iran are expected to reach an agreement that will pave the way to a peaceful resolution of this conflict,” the Secretary-General said in a statement, adding that he “sincerely hopes that the efforts currently underway ... will lead to a positive outcome.”
Iran’s top security body backs 'path of dialogue,' says president
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council supports continuing the “path of dialogue” with the United States, President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday, amid criticism from hardline conservatives targeting the Iranian negotiating team.
The council, Iran’s highest security authority, “has concluded that the path of dialogue should be pursued,” Pezeshkian said during a meeting with media, according to the presidential website. He added that the council is responsible for making “decisions regarding war and negotiations.”
Trump says Iran deal could be finalized within hours, lashes out at Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that an agreement with Iran could be finalized “within hours,” adding that the text was expected to be e-signed on Sunday, followed by an official signing ceremony with the parties in Europe next week.
Trump also said he spoke Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone following Israel’s strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Speaking to Axios, he reportedly said: “Why did Bibi [Netanyahu] have to do a fucking attack?" Trump told Axios. "I was so pissed off. I let him know. He has no fucking judgement. I let him know that."
The U.S. president added that he would urge Iran not to retaliate against Israel, while insisting that negotiations remain on course despite rising regional tensions.
'A strong response is being prepared' against Israel following strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, another Iranian official warns
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, warned that “a strong response is being prepared” following the Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Hezbollah claims series of attacks against Israeli troops in occupied villages in southern Lebanon
Hezbollah says it carried out 17 attacks since midnight targeting Israeli soldiers and vehicles operating in southern Lebanon, while stating that no operations were directed at targets inside northern Israel.
According to its “war media” unit, its fighters used suicide drones, artillery shells, and rocket salvos against Israeli forces positioned in several villages across what it describes as occupied areas of the southern front. The targeted locations include Yohmor al-Shaqif (Nabatieh), Rshaf and Shamaa (Bint Jbeil), Majdal Zoun and Naqoura (Sour), as well as Qantara and other nearby positions, including a recently established Israeli artillery site in the Sarda farm area between Kfar Kila and Deir Mimas (Marjayoun).
The group also claimed responsibility for firing three surface-to-air missiles at two Israeli drones over the Iqlim al-Tuffah region (Jezzine district), and another near the city of Saida.
None of the statements reported strikes on Israeli territory, while the Israeli army said it had detected drone infiltration attempts originating from Lebanon on Sunday morning.
Israeli army killed senior Hezbollah commander Ali Moussa Daqduq, who 'led fighting in southern Lebanon,' Israeli ambassador to Washington says
The Israeli military has killed Ali Moussa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander, according to a post on X by Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter. Without specifying when or where he was killed, Leiter said Daqduq was “eliminated while directing Hezbollah’s fighting in southern Lebanon.”
Daqduq was “personally responsible for a 2007 attack against U.S. soldiers” in Iraq, had been “imprisoned by the United States” before being released in 2012, and had a $5 million reward offered for information leading to his capture, the ambassador said.
According to Leiter, Dakdouk also oversaw Hezbollah’s so-called “Golan file,” a plan allegedly aimed at “invading and taking control of northern Israel.”
An infographic published by the ambassador states that Daqduq had been a member of Hezbollah since 1983.
Israeli strike on Ghobeiri kill 3, including 2 women, injures 16, Health Ministry says
The Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Ghobeiri, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, this afternoon killed at least three people, including two women, and wounded 16 others, including four women, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said in a statement.
Israeli bombardments continue in southern Lebanon
Credit: Mohammad Yassine
Israeli strikes have continued relentlessly in recent hours across southern Lebanon.
A drone strike targeted a motorcycle traveling in the town of Ansar, in the Nabatieh district.
Israeli warplanes also bombed the villages of Kawthariyet al-Siyyad (Saida district), Haniyeh, Shaaitiyeh, Mansouri (Sour district), Tibnin (Bint Jbeil district), which was hit by two airstrikes, as well as Shoukin, Mayfadoun, Kfar Sir and Deir Zahrani (Nabatieh district), according to our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.
Heavy artillery shelling and illumination flares were also fired at the Ali Taher hill, southeast of Nabatieh, sparking fires in forested areas, according to images taken by our photographer Mohammad Yassine.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said agreement with Iran remains close and urged Tehran to restrain Hezbollah
Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Hegseth said: “If Iran wants this to hold, they need to pull back Hezbollah."
These remarks came after Hegseth said earlier that U.S.–Iran negotiations remain on track despite the Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
According to him, Israel acted in a “very measured” way, with "a deal so close.”
Israel’s attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut 'should not have happened,' Trump says, adding that a deal is 'very close, including in Lebanon'
The attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs “should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote in a post on his X account.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process,” he added.
Trump then said a “deal that will bring peace to the region, including Lebanon” is “very close,” and that all parties should "stand down."
“There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel,” he added.
“This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace — Let’s not blow it!” he concluded.
No agreement between Iran and US will be signed this Sunday, an Iranian official agency announces
A source close to the Iranian negotiating team told the official Fars news agency that “no agreement would be signed on the date announced by Trump,” referring to the U.S. president’s announcement of a planned signing this Sunday of a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.
“Nothing has been finalized yet. Even if all of Iran’s conditions were implemented, no agreement will be signed on the date announced by Trump,” the source said, according to the agency, which added that these statements were made before the Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. “Even if we go back and forth in the negotiation process, Iran’s fundamental condition remains that, in the end, all its concerns must be fully taken into account.”
The report also states that a team of Qatari diplomats is currently in Tehran to collect the latest demands of the Iranian negotiators, before passing them on to the American side.
Israeli army preparing for 'fire' toward Israel 'in the coming hours' following strike on Beirut southern suburbs
The Israeli army said it is preparing for “the possibility of fire toward the territory of the State of Israel,” which could take place “in the coming hours,” following the deadly strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to a statement posted on the Israeli army’s X account.
This assessment follows a meeting chaired by the Israeli army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, with “commanders,” the army said.
The Israeli army is calling on the public to “remain vigilant,” while noting that “no changes have been made yet to the instructions of the Home Front Command.”
“The Israeli army will not tolerate fire directed at the territory of the State of Israel,” the message concluded.
An Iranian official says signing an agreement while Israel is 'not controlled' would be a 'miscalculation'
Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran’s Parliament, warned against concluding an agreement with the United States without prior assurance that Israel will stop its attacks on Lebanon.
“We must not fall into a miscalculation. Even if a deal or understanding is reached, the priority must be to discipline the Zionist regime. If this rabid dog is not brought under control, it will bite us before the ink on any agreement has even dried,” Rezaei wrote on X.
'We are continuing our operations in Lebanon in order to intensify the blows against Hezbollah,' says Israeli army chief
The head of the Israeli army stated that his forces were continuing their “operations in Lebanon,” during a meeting with “commanders of Israel’s Northern Command,” according to the Israeli army’s Hebrew-language account on X.
“We are continuing our operations in Lebanon in order to strengthen the defense of northern communities and intensify the blows against Hezbollah, through ground maneuvers and coordinated strikes,” he said, following the deadly strike carried out in Ghobeiri, in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
A diplomat says strike on southern suburbs aimed to 'sabotage the US-Iran agreement,' according to Fox News
A diplomatic source involved in the U.S.-Iran negotiations told a Fox News journalist that the Israeli strike, which killed at least three people in the southern suburbs of Beirut, was “a clear attempt by Israel to sabotage the president’s agreement and drag the United States back into war.” “This attack complicates efforts to finalize the agreement,” the source added.
Strike on Ghobeiri reportedly killed the head of Hezbollah's communication unit
An Israeli strike on Ghobeiri reportedly killed the head of Hezbollah’s communications unit, according to an Israeli Channel 12 report.
At least three people were killed in the strike, according to a preliminary toll. The Israeli army said it targeted a “Hezbollah command center.”
An Iranian military official vows to retaliate after Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs
Israeli “crimes” against Beirut’s southern suburbs “will not go unanswered,” said Mohammad Jafar Assadi, an officer in the Iranian army’s joint command, according to Iranian state media.
Ghalibaf says Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs proves that US 'either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so'
The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, commented on the Israeli bombardment carried out this afternoon against the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, saying it demonstrates the inability of the United States to “fulfill its commitments,” as an agreement between Tehran and Washington was said to be imminent.
“Zionist incursion into Dahiyeh has once agains shown that America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so. By giving the green light to the regime, you cannot gain concessions. The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated,” the chief negotiator of the Iranian delegation in talks with the United States wrote on X.
This is the first official Iranian reaction since the launch of this attack.
For several weeks, Iran has vowed that any Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut would lead to Iranian missile fire against Israel and U.S. interests in the region.
Iranian strikes carried out last Monday against Israeli territory and several Gulf countries came in response to an Israeli strike on the southern capital.
Ongoing Israeli strikes in south Lebanon kill at least 2
In addition to the strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, Israeli have been bombarding south Lebanon relentlessly, and at least two people have been killed in the past several hours, according to our correspondent.
Israeli drone strikes killed at least one person, and injured five others on a road in the locality of Housh, in the Sour area, where at least two motorcycles were targeted.
Another death was reported after another strike against the village of Zrarieh (Sour), while a serious injury was reported after a drone strike in Bazourieh (Sour).
In addition, another drone strike targeted the intersection between the Naqoura road and the entrance to the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, south of Sour.
Israeli aviation also bombed the villages of Doueir and Kfar Joz (Nabatieh), while artillery fire targeted Srifa.
Strike on Ghobeiri: at least 3 killed, 15 injured
The death toll from the Israeli strike on Ghobeiri has risen to 3 killed and 15 injured, according to the National News Agency (NNA). Search operations are continuing at the targeted site, the agency adds.
A previous toll had reported one killed and four injured.
Israeli strikes kills journalist in south Lebanon
An Israeli strike on the village of Shaqra (Bint Jbeil) killed a journalist named Ali Mohammad on Saturday, according to our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.
Mohammad worked for the Lebanese football club al-Ahed, based in Beirut’s southern suburbs, as well as for the Iraqi media outlet “Al-Independiente.”
Hezbollah claims 6 attacks against Israeli army in south Lebanon
Hezbollah has so far claimed six attacks carried out on Sunday against the Israeli army in south Lebanon, five of which were carried out overnight.
The group said that between 00:30 and 2 a.m. it targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers near Yohmor al-Shaqif (Nabatieh) and the outskirts of Majdal Zoun (Sour district), as well as an Israeli position in Houla (Marjayoun), and artillery positions in Odaisseh and in the Sarda farm area (Marjayoun).
Hezbollah also said it targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Qantara (Marjayoun) at 08:50.
It has not, so far, mentioned any attacks against northern Israel.
Israeli strike on Ghobeiri kills at least 1 person, injured 4, according to a preliminary toll
The Israeli strike on Ghobeiri has killed at least one person and wounded four, according to a preliminary toll reported by the National News Agency (NNA).
Ghobeiri attack targeted 'Hezbollah headquarters,' according to the Israeli army
The Ghobeiri attack targeted a “Hezbollah headquarters,” the Israeli army said in a post on its Hebrew-language X account.
“The headquarters that was targeted was used by members of the terrorist organization Hezbollah to prepare and advance plans for attacks against citizens of the State of Israel and against Israel Defense Forces operating in southern Lebanon,” the army added.
Strike on Ghobeiri: The attack comes 'in response to Hezbollah fire toward Israeli territory,' say Katz, Netanyahu
The attack on Ghobeiri, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, comes “in response to Hezbollah fire toward Israeli territory,” according to a joint statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, cited by Reuters.
Earlier, the Israeli army announced that northern Israel had been targeted by drones launched from Lebanon, causing no casualties.
Hezbollah has not, so far today, claimed responsibility for any attacks on Israeli territory.
Strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs: 2 missiles fired at an apartment in Ghobeiri
According to initial reports, Israeli airstrikes fired two missiles targeting an apartment in the Ghobeiri neighborhood, near Qalqass Bakery, in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs
An Israeli strike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to local media reports.
Residents reported hearing two explosions.
Immediately after, the Israeli army said in a post on X that it had targeted “Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs.”
Israeli army blows up houses in a village in Sour district
Israeli troops detonated several houses this morning in the village of Shihine, in the Sour district, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.
Israel continues to systematically destroy villages captured since the start of their invasion of south Lebanon, where more than 600 square kilometers of Lebanese territory are now under occupation.
In the same area, the neighboring village of Majdal Zoun was targeted by artillery fire, including white phosphorus shells and smoke grenades, particularly in the Wadi Hassan area, where fighting once again broke out overnight between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters, as has been the case for several days.
New drone launched from Lebanon toward Israel, according to the Israeli army
The Israeli army announced for the second time this morning that Israeli territory had been targeted by drones launched from Lebanon, without causing any casualties. “Following alerts triggered a short while ago regarding the infiltration of a hostile aircraft,” an impact was identified “on the territory of the State of Israel, near the border with Lebanon,” the army said.
Two far-right Israeli ministers and members of the security cabinet, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, had called after the first strike for retaliatory attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Another night of intense Israeli bombardments in south Lebanon, where the Israeli army continues its advance on Nabatieh front
Last night was marked by a new escalation of Israeli bombardments in south Lebanon in areas where the Israeli army continues to advance on the ground against Hezbollah fighters.
As the day before, the occupying forces continued their push toward the Ali Taher hill and the town of Kfar Tibnit, at the southern entrance of the city of Nabatieh. According to our correspondent in the region, an Israeli army vehicle was targeted in Kfar Tibnit around midnight by Hezbollah.
Artillery fire and Israeli air strikes relentlessly struck Nabatieh and its suburbs overnight and into the morning, leaving at least three people wounded.
Other clashes were reported on another front near Majdal Zoun, in the Sour district. Several Israeli tanks were targeted there by volleys of rockets and artillery fire from Hezbollah.
In parallel, Israeli bombardments continue to spread steadily northward in South Lebanon, in the districts of Saida and Jezzine, where several casualties have been reported. At least two people were killed in a drone strike in Msayleh (Saida), while the death toll from the strike in Kawthariyet al-Siyyad (Saida) has risen to three, according to our correspondent. The victims are three women from the village: Fatima Badran, Salwa Hilal, and Batoul Ibrahim.
The Amal movement also announced the death of one of its fighters, named Ismail Ahmad Shuman, killed in an Israeli strike targeting the village of Zefta (Saida).
In addition, Israeli air force and drones have been bombing since midnight several localities in Nabatieh, including the Salhiyeh neighborhood, Nabatieh Fawqa, Kfar Tibnit, Kfar Jouz, Mayfadoun, Shoukin, Zaoutar Gharbieh, Doueir (Nabatieh district), Yater, Hadatha and Haris (Bint Jbeil), Qleileh, Qabrikha, Majdal Zoun, Hosh, Haniyeh, Abbasieh, Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour), Blat (Marjayoun), the Jabal al-Arid area near Rihane, and the Qatrani–Shbeil area (Jezzine), as well as the road between Msayleh and Saida.
Finally, Israeli artillery simultaneously targeted Aramta, Aqmata, Rihane and Qatrani–Shbeil (Jezzine), Sammaaiyeh, Deir Qanoun Ras al-Ain, Srifa, Haniyeh and Qleileh (Sour), as well as the Nabatieh region.
Iranian media says Tehran has 'not yet made a final decision' on a deal
The Iranian news agency Fars, considered close to conservative circles, stated that Iran has not yet made a decision regarding the signing of the draft agreement under discussion with the United States to end the war in the Middle East.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has not yet taken or announced its final decision regarding the draft protocol proposed during negotiations,” Fars wrote, citing a “well-informed source close to the Iranian negotiating team.”
The possibility of such an agreement faces opposition from some hardliners, who are hostile to concessions, particularly regarding control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been de facto blocked by Iran since the start of the war.
The Israeli army orders evacuation of nearly 30 villages in south Lebanon, more than half of them in the Saida district
The Israeli army ordered the evacuation of 29 villages north of the Litani River in south Lebanon this morning, including 16 located deep inside the country, more than 30 to 40 kilometers from the border, in the Saida district. The rest are located in the Nabatieh district.
The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, published two successive messages around 10 a.m. ordering residents of the affected villages to evacuate their homes before Israeli strikes. “In light of violations of the cease-fire agreement committed by the terrorist organization Hezbollah, the Israeli army is compelled to act forcefully against it,” the army said.
The affected localities are: Zrarieh, Kfar Badda, Kharayeb, Ansar, Arzay, Briqaa, Mazraat Bsafour, Mazraat al-Yahodiye, Mazraat al-Wasta, Mazraat Jamjim, Mazraat Kawthariyet al-Rez, Matariyet el-Shumar, Kfar Sir, Erkay, Bnaafoul, Jbaa, Jernaya, Houmin Tahta, Houmine Fawqa, Kfar Beit, Kfar Melki, Kfar Fila, Kfar Shelal, Ain Bosswar, Azza, Ain Qana, Arab al-Jal, Sarba, and Roumin.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of current events in Lebanon, where Israel continues to strike the South and the Beqaa, as it seeks to expand its ground invasion into Lebanese territory.
We will also follow the latest developments between Iran and the United States, after U.S. president Trump claimed that an agreement would be signed on Sunday — a deadline that Tehran denied on Saturday.
Two drones launched from Lebanon strike Israeli territory; Smotrich and Ben-Gvir call for strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs
The Israeli army announced Sunday that Israeli territory had been targeted by drones launched from Lebanon, which caused no casualties.
“Following alerts triggered a short while ago regarding the infiltration of a hostile aircraft,” the army said, “two impacts … were identified on the territory of the State of Israel.”
Two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers then called for retaliatory strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut (Dahieh).
“The fire on northern towns tests the doctrine of Dahieh declared by the Prime Minister. I call on him to apply it with determination and firmness and to destroy buildings in Dahieh,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir wrote: “For every drone, a missile; for every violation, fire; for every drone, Dahieh must tremble.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently warned that Israel would not hesitate to strike Beirut’s southern suburbs in response to Hezbollah fire on northern Israeli towns, which he says is backed by Washington.
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