France, Italy seek multinational 'coalition' as UNIFIL replacement; Gulf states, US back Lebanon-Israel talks | LIVE

US officials accuse Iran of opening fire on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

Iran fired on a cargo ship that reported earlier Thursday that it had been hit by a projectile while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, two U.S. officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The ship reported being struck on its starboard side by a projectile about 7.5 nautical miles (13.9 kilometers) southeast of Dahit, a coastal town in the Sultanate of Oman, according to the British maritime safety agency UKMTO.

Israel says killed 6 Hezbollah fighters in Ali Taher, Zawtar Sharqieh

The Israeli army said in a statement that it had killed six Hezbollah fighters earlier Thursday in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon.

According to the statement, five fighters were spotted by soldiers from the Golani Brigade operating in Zawtar Sharqieh, under the command of the 36th Division.

In a separate incident, the Israeli army said another armed Hezbollah fighter was spotted in the hills above Ali Taher. The Israeli occupation forces then conducted airstrikes, while ground troops opened fire, killing all six fighters, according to the statement.

Italy, France agree to launch multinational 'coalition' to support Lebanon after UNIFIL mandate ends

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Italy and France have agreed to launch a multinational "coalition" to support Lebanon after the end of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), scheduled for the end of the year.

Speaking after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Antibes, Meloni added that the two leaders also discussed the possibility of organizing an international conference on the issue.

Lebanon-Israel: Gulf states, US call to preserve negotiations 'without linking them to other conflicts'

Participants at the ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United States, held Thursday in Manama, emphasized in a joint statement the importance of "preserving the negotiation process in Lebanon and not linking it to other conflicts."

They also stressed the need for the "complete disarmament of non-state groups in Lebanon" and the restoration of the Lebanese state's monopoly on arms, while highlighting the importance of supporting the Lebanese Army to achieve this objective.

The ministers reaffirmed their full commitment to the "sovereignty, security, stability and territorial integrity of Lebanon." They also welcomed "the ongoing bilateral negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, under U.S. auspices, aimed at creating the necessary conditions for the conclusion of a lasting peace and security agreement between the two countries."

They also welcomed the implementation of "a pragmatic approach to restoring security, strengthening the authority of the Lebanese state, and demarcating permanent borders," emphasizing that "Lebanon's full sovereignty cannot be achieved as long as non-state armed groups retain military capabilities outside the authority of the state."

The statement also welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran while highlighting the importance of the mediation led by Pakistan and Qatar.

It also stressed that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and unimpeded freedom of navigation are "essential to the security of the region and the world."

Katz says again that Israel will not withdraw from so-called 'security zone' in Lebanon 'despite pressure'

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel opposes any withdrawal from the so-called "security zone" in Lebanon, "despite pressure" to do so.

He added that the Israeli army will remain in the "security zones" in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza "for as long as necessary."

Netanyahu says Israel will maintain so-called 'security zone' in Lebanon 'for as long as necessary'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel will maintain its so-called "security zone" in southern Lebanon "for as long as necessary," according to remarks relayed by Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer.

According to Netanyahu, the zone aims to prevent Hezbollah from "invading the Galilee."

He added that the Israeli army "continues the destruction of Hezbollah's underground infrastructure" and that Hezbollah attacks underscore why "Israel will maintain the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary."

Riyadh, Washington discuss Lebanon

The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and his U.S. counterpart, Marco Rubio, discussed the U.S.-Iran agreement, as well as the situations in Gaza and Lebanon.

The Ministry also said the Saudi foreign minister spoke with his Omani counterpart, Badr al-Busaidi, about the agreement between Washington and Tehran and ways to reduce tensions in the region.

Health Ministry reports 19 more people killed by Israel in past 24 hours

Health Ministry announced in its daily report that 19 additional deaths had been recorded in the past 24 hours, with several wounded people succumbing to injuries sustained in previous Israeli strikes.

The death toll from Israeli attacks since the resumption of the war on March 2 now stands at 4,230, with 12,179 wounded.

This figure does not include the three deaths from the Israeli drone strike on a car in the Nabatieh region.

Israeli tank fires toward Byout al-Siyad

An Israeli tank advanced and opened fire with a machine gun toward Byout al-Siyad, in the Sour district.

Nabatieh: Death toll rises to three in Israeli drone strike

The death toll from the Israeli drone strike that targeted a car traveling between Zawtar and Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh district earlier has risen to three, with one person injured.

The third death was recorded after one of the victims succumbed to their injuries, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Israeli drone strike on car in Nabatieh district kills 2

The Israeli drone strike that targeted a car traveling between Zawtar and Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh district has killed two people and wounded two others, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon, citing a medical source.

Israeli forces still present in Ain Arab, fires reported in village

Israeli forces remain inside the border village of Ain Arab in the Marjayoun district, eastern sector, after issuing threats to residents that forced an exodus on Wednesday, according to the village’s mukhtar, Othman al-Ahmad, speaking to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

He said Israeli military vehicles continue to move through the village on a daily basis. “Five Israeli vehicles were seen today patrolling the village streets,” he noted.

A fire also broke out in the heart of the village, producing heavy smoke, the mukhtar added, without being able to determine its cause or whether it resulted from house burnings or other sources.

On Wednesday, nearly 57 families in Ain Arab were forced to leave again, a day after returning home, following orders from the Israeli army. The mukhtar had said an Israeli patrol, including vehicles and a bulldozer, entered the village and ordered residents to leave under threat that their homes would be demolished.

Rubio praises progress in Israel-Lebanon talks

Israel and Lebanon are making good progress in their talks in the United States and are close to making a "commitment of intent", Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday.

"I think we are very close in our hopes of getting a commitment of intent between the two countries," he told reporters during a visit to Bahrain.

Drone strike on car between Zawtar and Mayfadoun seriously injures 4

An Israeli drone fired a missile at a car near the area between Zawtar and Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh district, according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon. Ambulances rushed to the scene, with initial reports indicating four people were seriously injured.

The Nabatieh region has seen a concentration of Israeli strikes since the entry into force of a fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel last Saturday. The Israeli army has killed four people there in recent days — two on Tuesday and two on Wednesday — in raids condemned by Hezbollah as “flagrant violations of the cease-fire.”

'Israel must leave all Lebanese territory voluntarily, otherwise it will be forced to flee under the weight of defeat,' says Qaani

The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmaeil Qaani, said Thursday that Israel must withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territory "of its own accord" or face military defeat, according to Iranian state media cited by Reuters.

The question of an Israeli withdrawal is also central to ongoing U.S.-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, where officials are discussing a proposal for "pilot zones" to be transferred to Lebanese Army control.

Qaani's comments follow conflicting reports over a purported Israeli withdrawal from part of its self-declared "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon. While a U.S. State Department official described such a move as a goodwill gesture toward Beirut, both Israeli and Lebanese officials denied that any withdrawal had taken place.

Oman says no 'transit fees' planned under future Strait of Hormuz arrangements

The Sultanate of Oman said that no “transit fees” are envisaged in any future arrangements governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, AFP reported.

Israeli officials deny any withdrawal from 'buffer zone' in south Lebanon

Israeli officials contacted by Haaretz have denied an earlier claim by a U.S. State Department official that Israel had withdrawn part of its forces from the occupied “buffer zone” in south Lebanon as a “goodwill gesture” toward the Lebanese government.

A senior Israeli official rejected the report, while an Israeli military source said it was unaware of any such movement. “I am not aware of anything like that,” the source said, adding: “In fact, we have not withdrawn from any location so far.”

Lebanese security sources also told several media outlets that no withdrawal had been observed.

Israel withdraws from part of southern Lebanon 'buffer zone', US State Department official says

Israel has withdrawn from some of the southern Lebanese territory it has occupied in its war with Hezbollah, a U.S. State Department official said on Thursday, adding that Lebanon's armed forces should now step in.

There was no immediate comment from Israel. A senior Lebanese security official said they were unaware of any withdrawal of Israeli troops from Israel's so-called "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon.

The State Department official did not say how much territory Israel withdrew from or where exactly the pullback occurred. Israel and Lebanon have been holding U.S.-brokered talks in Washington aimed in part at halting fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.

"Israel has already taken a concrete step by pulling back from a part of its buffer zone. This is a significant demonstration of good faith toward Lebanon’s legitimate government," the official said.

"The (Lebanese Armed Forces) should now move in and verifiably clear out terrorist weapons and infrastructure. This model will be repeated across South Lebanon, enabling the safe return of displaced families, reconstruction of the south, and the restoration of full Lebanese sovereignty," the official added.

US wants an agreement but not at 'any price,' Rubio says

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States wants an agreement with Iran, but not at “any price,” AFP reported.

The head of U.S. diplomacy, who is in Bahrain as part of a tour aimed at reassuring Gulf countries about Washington’s commitment to protecting their interests in talks with Iran, said that “the agreement with Iran will not compromise security in Gulf countries.”

He warned that the introduction of tolls in the Strait of Hormuz could “spread” to other maritime passages.

CENTCOM chief in Israel today and in other regional countries, reports Al-Monitor

The highest-ranking Pentagon commander for the Middle East, U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, is visiting Israel today and several other U.S.-allied countries in the region, as the Trump administration seeks to consolidate the cease-fire currently in place with Iran, in hopes of resuming diplomatic negotiations next week aimed at permanently ending the war, reports Al-Monitor, a U.S. media outlet covering the Middle East.

The arrival in Israel of Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), follows a tour this week by Washington’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, across several Arab Gulf countries.

CENTCOM has not yet issued any statement on the matter.

Maersk says 2 of its vessels exited Gulf safely

Shipping group Maersk said on Thursday the Maersk Baltimore and a time-chartered vessel had successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Gulf overnight.

"The transits were completed in close coordination with our security partners and followed thorough security assessments," Maersk said in a statement.

The war in Iran that began on February 28 has disrupted travel and cargo across the wider Middle East, and many vessels, including those belonging to Maersk, as well as competitors Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM, have been unable to enter or leave the Gulf.

Of three vessels remaining in the Gulf, Maersk said it would pursue one additional Hormuz transit at a later stage, with the remaining two to be deployed on intra-Gulf services.

Of 47,000 containers Maersk had bound for the Gulf region at the onset of the conflict, 44,000 have now been delivered, with 3,000 still pending final delivery, according to Maersk.

Imposing a new geopolitical reality on Gulf states will not bring stability, warns the diplomatic adviser to the Emirati president

The diplomatic adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, said that imposing a new geopolitical reality on Gulf states following a “treacherous aggression against them” would not bring “stability,” specifying that this position applies specifically to the Strait of Hormuz.

He said on X that it is impossible to impose new geopolitical facts on Arab Gulf states following such aggression, adding that imposing a state of affairs resulting from aggression does not create stability but instead sows new seeds of discord and future conflict, and that this applies specifically to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran warns against any passage through Hormuz without its authorization

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned against any passage through the Strait of Hormuz without Iranian authorization and threatened vessels that do not comply with “appropriate measures.” The future of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route and de facto controlled by Iran during the war, remains a point of contention in talks between Tehran and Washington.

Iran is considering imposing “transit fees” that did not exist before the war, while the United States opposes this, arguing that it is an “international waterway,” even though the strait’s waters border Iran and the Sultanate of Oman.

“The only authorized route for passage through the Strait of Hormuz is the one announced by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the Revolutionary Guards said. Any passage without Iran’s authorization is “unacceptable and dangerous” and will be subject to “appropriate measures,” they warned in a statement criticizing “the announcement by certain authorities of a new maritime route.”

Hormuz is a narrow waterway about 30 kilometers wide separating Iran and Oman. The only passage authorized by Iran runs through a corridor close to its coast.

The memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington to end the war provides that commercial ships may pass through the Strait of Hormuz without fees for 60 days only. It also states that Iran will take steps, making its best efforts, to ensure the security of commercial shipping. Iran and Oman said on Tuesday that they will study possible “fees” that could be charged for services related to the administration of the strait. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Gulf countries, reiterated on Tuesday that Washington will not accept tolls or fees on passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Fragile calm in south Lebanon despite minor violations

A fragile calm continues to prevail in south Lebanon this morning after the cease-fire that came into effect last Saturday evening. The night was quiet, despite some limited Israeli violations, including artillery fire near border towns, our correspondent in the south, reports.

'Declaration of intent' expected as Lebanon–Israel talks near conclusion

A “declaration of intent” is expected to be issued Thursday at the end of the Lebanon–Israel negotiation cycle, according to Issa. U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa said Wednesday evening on Al-Jadeed TV, after the second day of talks in Washington, that the atmosphere in the discussions is “good” and that he expects a “declaration of intent” between the two countries at the end of the round of talks.

He added that the “pilot zones” would be selected and a declaration issued. He had previously reported a “deadlock” over these zones.

Israeli soldier killed in road accident in occupied south Lebanon

The Israeli army announced the death of one of its soldiers, a member of the Golani Brigade, in a road accident in southern Lebanon.

The “sergeant major Bassel Soueid, 32,” was a driver, it said.

According to Israeli army radio, the accident occurred overnight near Rebb Talatine, a village in the Marjayoun district located in the eastern sector of the border strip occupied by Israel. A total of 37 Israeli soldiers and one contractor have been killed in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah accuses Israel of cease-fire violation after Kfar Roummane strike

Hezbollah accused Israel of a “violation of the cease-fire” after a deadly drone strike on Kfar Roummane on Wednesday. After the Israeli army killed two people in a drone strike in Kfar Roummane in the Nabatieh district, Hezbollah condemned a new “flagrant” violation of the cease-fire. It said Israeli forces deliberately targeted civilians inspecting their homes in the area of Doha Kfar Roummane. The movement said this constitutes a “flagrant violation of the cease-fire to which the resistance has adhered.”

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of events in Lebanon and the Middle East,

As a new round of Lebanon–Israel talks in Washington under U.S. mediation is set to conclude, alongside developments in the Strait of Hormuz linked to tensions between the United States and Iran.

The discussions in Washington come as a fragile calm appears to hold in south Lebanon, despite sporadic violations of the cease-fire reported since it came into effect.

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