Hezbollah will not allow Israel to enjoy “freedom of movement”
Hezbollah will not allow Israel to enjoy “freedom of movement” in Lebanon in what it describes as occupied Lebanese territory, a senior official from the party told Reuters.
Fadlallah says Hezbollah has the “full right” to respond to Israeli attacks
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said the movement had the “right” to respond to Israeli attacks, as Israel continues its strikes on Lebanon despite the announcement of a new cease-fire the previous day.
“There is talk of a cease-fire. For us, what matters is that the enemy fully and completely respects this cease-fire, and that it does not attempt to attack our country and our villages, nor occupy new positions,” Mr. Fadlallah said in a statement, adding that “the resistance [Hezbollah] has the full right to confront this enemy when it attacks us, because it is the aggressor and the occupier.”
Israeli army says it is targeting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army said it was targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon in response to attacks against its soldiers deployed in that part of Lebanon, despite the cease-fire announcement made the previous day.
“Overnight, the terrorist organization Hezbollah fired more than 50 projectiles at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon,” a military statement said. “Following these attacks, the IDF is striking Hezbollah terrorist targets in the south of the country.”
The Israeli army also maintains that if Hezbollah stops violating the cease-fire agreements, stability can be restored in Lebanon and Israel.
The Israeli army began bombing southern Lebanon in the minutes following the entry into force of the cease-fire with Hezbollah at 4 p.m. yesterday.
Pakistani minister in Iran after postponement of Tehran-Washington talks in Switzerland
Pakistan’s interior minister, whose country is mediating between Iran and the United States, arrived in Iran as part of diplomatic efforts one day after talks in Switzerland were postponed, according to Iranian media.
“Pakistan’s Interior Minister [Mohsin Naqvi] will arrive in Iran today, Saturday, at noon, as part of Pakistan’s efforts regarding Iranian-American negotiations,” the ISNA news agency wrote, quoting Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
Several local media outlets, including Tasnim, later reported that Naqvi had landed in Mashhad, in northeastern Iran. According to ISNA, Pakistan’s interior minister is due to meet his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, as well as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The visit comes a day after discussions between Tehran and Washington, initially scheduled for Friday in Switzerland following an agreement between the two rival countries, were postponed.
Pakistani minister in Iran after postponement of Tehran-Washington talks in Switzerland
Pakistan’s interior minister, whose country is mediating between Iran and the United States, arrived in Iran as part of diplomatic efforts one day after talks in Switzerland were postponed, according to Iranian media.
“Pakistan’s Interior Minister [Mohsin Naqvi] will arrive in Iran today, Saturday, at noon, as part of Pakistan’s efforts regarding Iranian-American negotiations,” the ISNA news agency wrote, quoting Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
Several local media outlets, including Tasnim, later reported that Naqvi had landed in Mashhad, in northeastern Iran. According to ISNA, Pakistan’s interior minister is due to meet his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, as well as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The visit comes a day after discussions between Tehran and Washington, initially scheduled for Friday in Switzerland following an agreement between the two rival countries, were postponed.
Southern Lebanon: Strikes target Nabatieh district
Two strikes were reported in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while a drone strike targeted the city of Nabatieh. Other strikes hit Kfar Rummane, in the Nabatieh district, and Jabal al-Rihan, in the Jezzine district. A low-flying drone was spotted over Saida.
A drone strike wounded one person in Harouf, while another strike targeted Kfar Sir, also in the Nabatieh district.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill 6 people
Several Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed six people, our correspondent reported.
A strike earlier on Chehour, in the Sour district, hit the home of Moustapha Arzouni, killing one person and wounding four others, according to our southern Lebanon correspondent.
Meanwhile, a strike that targeted Arabsalim, in the Nabatieh district, this morning killed four members of the same family: Ali Nadar and his wife Leila, their son Mahmoud, and Jana Hachem, the wife of their son Moustapha.
Another strike in Nmeiriyeh, in the Nabatieh district, killed Mohammad Ahmad Jarmaki, according to our correspondent.
Lebanese Army announces death of soldier on Kfar Rummane-Nabatieh road in southern Lebanon
The Lebanese Army announced the death of a soldier in southern Lebanon after he was killed in an Israeli strike on the Kfar Rummane-Nabatieh road, despite the new cease-fire announced yesterday between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Israel’s brutal attacks against Lebanon continue after the recent escalation affected large areas from the South to the Bekaa, causing further martyrs and injuries and significant material damage,” the army said on X.
“In this context, a hostile Israeli strike targeted a Lebanese Army soldier on the Kfar Rummane-Nabatieh road, resulting in his death,” the statement added.
The army said it was “clear that the continuation of these brutal Israeli attacks aims to obstruct any solution that could help restore stability in Lebanon.”
Israeli strikes kill at least 12, including a Lebanese Army soldier, according to our southern Lebanon correspondent
Israeli strikes from yesterday night into today have killed at least 12 people, according to our correspondent in the South, who said rescue teams are still searching through the rubble.
A Lebanese soldier was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the Kfar Rummane roundabout earlier this morning. A strike on Arabsalim, in the Nabatieh district, around 6 a.m. killed at least four people.
Our correspondent also reported 42 airstrikes on 20 towns in the Nabatieh and Jezzine districts by 10 a.m., mainly in and around Nabatieh. Israeli drones targeted five locations.
By 10 a.m., Israeli bombardment was continuing without interruption, targeting Nabatieh and its surroundings. Thick smoke was rising from the targeted areas and spreading over the city and nearby villages.
Ambulances were struggling to move due to the intensity of the strikes and the constant presence of drones targeting movement on the roads.
Among the areas hit were Jebchit, the Maaliya plain south of Sour, Sohmor in western Bekaa, Chehour, Kfar Sir, Habbouch, Jabal al-Rihan, Sejoud and Chbeil.
The strike on Sohmor killed at least one person, according to our Bekaa correspondent.
Israeli bombardment continued through mid-morning
According to our southern Lebanon correspondent, the Israeli army has struck since early morning: Kfar Jouz, Harouf, Kfar Rummane (several times), Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Shouqine in the Nabatieh district; Kawkariet al-Riz in the Saida district; Burj Qalawiyeh in Bint Jbeil; Qabrikha in Marjayoun; Barish in Sour; and the al-Jabour hills in Jezzine and Barghaz hills in Hasbaya in a single strike.
Six additional raids targeted Nabatieh and its surroundings, particularly Kfar Tebnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa. A drone struck a motorcycle on Nabih Berri Boulevard in Nabatieh, killing its rider.
Explosions linked to an interceptor missile were heard over Saida and the surrounding area.
The Lebanese Army closed the road at the al-Amriyeh checkpoint south of Sour as a security measure amid the Israeli military escalation.
Israel again attempts to advance toward Ali Taher hill
Our southern Lebanon correspondent reported a major Israeli escalation since dawn, focused mainly on the Nabatieh area, where Israeli warplanes carried out a series of intense airstrikes, alongside artillery shelling and ongoing clashes near the Ali Taher hills.
Fighting continued around Ali Taher, accompanied by heavy Israeli artillery fire, including phosphorus shells, throughout the night. Around 2 a.m., three airstrikes targeted Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit. Habbouch and Meidoun in western Bekaa were also shelled.
Reports also indicated Hezbollah launched rockets after 1 a.m. toward Israeli military positions near Kfar Tebnit and Ali Taher amid continued exchanges of fire and artillery shelling targeting Kfar Joz, Kfour and Kfar Rummane.
Israeli drones have remained over Nabatieh and surrounding villages since last night.
Field sources also reported the detonation of an explosive device against an Israeli force attempting to advance toward Ali Taher after 10 p.m., causing casualties among its ranks. The Israeli army reportedly deployed reinforcements near Kfar Tebnit in another attempt to advance toward the strategic hills.
At dawn, Israeli aircraft expanded their operations, carrying out at least six strikes on the al-Rihan hills, followed by a seventh shortly afterward. Artillery shelling also targeted Majdal Zoun, while machine-gun fire hit Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Ras al-Ain and Bouyout al-Sayyad in the Sour district.
Airstrikes at dawn also hit Kfar Jouz, where two buildings were destroyed, as well as Habbouch, Toul, Kfour and Nmeiriyeh, where a residential building was destroyed. Several people were reportedly wounded in strikes on Nmeirieh, Shouqine and Arabsalim, where three people were reported killed.
According to Friday’s field assessment, Israeli warplanes struck 31 towns across southern Lebanon, mainly in the Nabatieh area. Drones targeted 12 towns, while 18 villages came under continuous artillery fire, including two hit with phosphorus shells.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, said in two separate statements that it had repelled two Israeli attempts to advance toward the Ali Taher hills, claiming to have inflicted casualties on the attacking forces.
Israel again attempts to advance toward Ali Taher hill
Our southern Lebanon correspondent reported a major Israeli escalation since dawn, focused mainly on the Nabatieh area, where Israeli warplanes carried out a series of intense airstrikes, alongside artillery shelling and ongoing clashes near the Ali Taher hills.
Fighting continued around Ali Taher, accompanied by heavy Israeli artillery fire, including phosphorus shells, throughout the night. Around 2 a.m., three airstrikes targeted Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit. Habbouch and Meidoun in western Bekaa were also shelled.
Reports also indicated Hezbollah launched rockets after 1 a.m. toward Israeli military positions near Kfar Tebnit and Ali Taher amid continued exchanges of fire and artillery shelling targeting Kfar Joz, Kfour and Kfar Rummane.
Israeli drones have remained over Nabatieh and surrounding villages since last night.
Field sources also reported the detonation of an explosive device against an Israeli force attempting to advance toward Ali Taher after 10 p.m., causing casualties among its ranks. The Israeli army reportedly deployed reinforcements near Kfar Tebnit in another attempt to advance toward the strategic hills.
At dawn, Israeli aircraft expanded their operations, carrying out at least six strikes on the al-Rihan hills, followed by a seventh shortly afterward. Artillery shelling also targeted Majdal Zoun, while machine-gun fire hit Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Ras al-Ain and Bouyout al-Sayyad in the Sour district.
Airstrikes at dawn also hit Kfar Jouz, where two buildings were destroyed, as well as Habbouch, Toul, Kfour and Nmeiriyeh, where a residential building was destroyed. Several people were reportedly wounded in strikes on Nmeirieh, Shouqine and Arabsalim, where three people were reported killed.
According to Friday’s field assessment, Israeli warplanes struck 31 towns across southern Lebanon, mainly in the Nabatieh area. Drones targeted 12 towns, while 18 villages came under continuous artillery fire, including two hit with phosphorus shells.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, said in two separate statements that it had repelled two Israeli attempts to advance toward the Ali Taher hills, claiming to have inflicted casualties on the attacking forces.
Israeli strikes kill at least 5 in Lebanon after yesterday’s cease-fire
Israeli strikes and drone attacks in southern Lebanon kill at least five people today, according to the state-run National News Agency, just hours after a cease-fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah took effect.
The agency reported a series of airstrikes, drone attacks and artillery shelling overnight.
According to our southern Lebanon correspondent, the strikes also hit other parts of southern Lebanon, while our Bekaa correspondent reported Israeli bombardment in the Labbaya and Maydoun areas of western Bekaa.
At least one Israeli drone was flying over the Beirut area this morning, according to witnesses.
Talks with Iran: US envoy Steve Witkoff en route to Switzerland, Axios reports
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to Switzerland for talks with Iran, U.S. media reported after negotiations between Washington and Tehran were postponed.
Witkoff is on his way to Switzerland, Axios reported yesterday, citing a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
His trip comes as “the United States and Iran are working to get technical discussions back on track” following the memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday, CNN reported.
Trump envoy Jared Kushner is also expected in Switzerland for talks, Axios and CNN reported, citing U.S. officials. Uncertainty remains over the start of the negotiations, initially scheduled for Friday in Switzerland, after Vice President JD Vance canceled his planned trip.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage
Israel continued bombing southern Lebanon despite the truce reached yesterday with Hezbollah, while the launch of talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland has been postponed.
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