Opening of Marjayoun-Nabatieh road, via Khardali Bridge, cancelled following Israeli notice | LIVE

No Israeli withdrawal from Gaza without complete Hamas disarmament, announces Trump's ‘Board of Peace’

U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" has stated that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza will only take place after the "complete" disarmament of Hamas, following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports AFP.

“We note that the total withdrawal of the [Israeli army] beyond the yellow line will only take place once disarmament has been completed, as Hamas has committed to the mediators,” the Board wrote on X, referring to the demarcation line between the area controlled by Hamas and that occupied by Israel.

Trump says talks with Iran are 'taking place right now'

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that talks with Iran are “taking place right now,” during an event held in the Oval Office, according to Reuters. He added that this was “their last chance to sign a good deal.”

Trump describes Iranian leaders as ‘incredibly deceitful’

U.S. President Donald Trump has described Iranian leaders as "incredibly deceitful," claiming that they had requested talks aimed at ending the war, before publicly announcing that no negotiations were taking place.

“Nothing gets to Iran unless we want it to, and nothing will get there until a deal — or total surrender — is secured,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Opening of the Khardali road cancelled following Israeli notice

The mayor of Qlayaa, Hanna Daher, told our correspondent that the opening of the Marjayoun–Nabatieh (Khardali) road — the main route linking the region to Saida, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon — which had been scheduled for Monday, has been cancelled. This road has been closed for many months.

According to him, the committee overseeing the ceasefire mechanism informed him, on the basis of a notice issued by Israel, that the road remained dangerous and unsuitable for motor traffic.

A convoy of 12 vehicles was due to travel to Nabatieh from Qlayaa via the Khardali bridge, in what would have marked the first reopening of this route to civilians since its closure.

The municipality had announced that it had obtained authorization from the "mechanism" to organize this convoy, which was to be escorted by the Lebanese Army. According to the planned itinerary, participants were due to set off at 8 a.m. from outside the municipality offices and return at 4 p.m. via the Kfar Roummane roundabout.

However, a notice from the Israeli side, conveyed on Saturday via the mechanism’s committee, led to the cancellation of the convoy and the postponement of the road’s reopening, despite the prior authorization granted to use this route.

Temporary bridge at Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr, Marjayoun

A temporary bridge is currently under construction to replace the destroyed bridge at Qaaqaaiyet al-Jisr (Nabatieh). The importance of this route lies in the fact that it links the districts of Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun.

Israeli drone strikes car in Mansouri

An Israeli army drone fired a stun grenade on a van in Mansouri (Sour), early Monday afternoon, setting the car on fire, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent in southern Lebanon. No immediate information was available on possible casualties.

Later, an Israeli army drone again fired a stun grenade over the area. At the same time, Israel fired artillery shells on Mais al-Jabal (Marjayoun), according to our correspondent.

Salam tells Zawtar Gharbieh delegation that reconstruction is a state priority

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that “the reconstruction of damaged villages in the South is a priority for the state” during a meeting at the Grand Serail with a delegation from the municipality of Zawtar Gharbieh, a village in the Nabatieh district.

The Lebanese Army is now deployed in the “pilot zone” established under the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, while Israeli troops remain positioned on the outskirts of the village. Israeli forces had prevented residents from returning to their homes, before carrying out an incursion into the village and demolishing several buildings. Residents eventually returned to find their homes in ruins.

“The government will continue to support municipalities throughout the different stages of recovery, until residents can return in a safe, dignified and lasting manner,” Salam said.

Froun appeals for help restoring well supplying 160 families

The municipality of Froun, in the Bint Jbeil district, has appealed for urgent assistance to repair the water system of its only well, which supplies the village's 160 remaining families and was damaged in Israeli strikes.

In a statement relayed by L'Orient Today's correspondent Mountasser Abdallah, the municipality said the village remains without running water or electricity, "worsening residents' suffering and making any return to normal life impossible."

It added that the 160 families still living in the village are split between the only available shelter and homes that have been damaged or partially destroyed. According to the municipality, the well is capable of meeting the needs of all residents if it is restored.

The municipality called on the Energy and Water Ministry, aid organizations and international agencies to urgently provide a generator and solar panels to restore the well to operation and re-establish the village's electricity supply.

Rome talks: US ambassador says parties should ‘take the time needed to get it right’

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said the ongoing talks in Rome between the Lebanese and Israeli delegations should prioritize a durable agreement over a rushed compromise.

“We believe it is better to take the time needed to get it right from the outset,” he said.

Issa said there is “a significant difference between drafting an agreement on paper and implementing it responsibly,” warning that “moving too quickly risks putting at risk the very civilians this process is meant to protect.”

According to the ambassador, “significant technical work remains” to ensure civilian safety on the ground, and taking the time to finalize the agreement would allow “subsequent pilot zones to be implemented more effectively.”

Issa also stressed that “both sides need to agree on a clear and workable process before moving forward.” He nevertheless said he was “encouraged” by the continuation of the Rome talks and expressed hope that “both governments will reach a positive outcome.”

Return of southern residents and efforts to halt Israeli attacks dominate ministerial meeting

The return of residents to southern Lebanon and the measures needed to support it were the focus of a ministerial meeting held Monday at the Grand Serail, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Information Minister Paul Morcos said following the meeting.

The discussions centered on assessing the extent of the damage and coordinating recovery efforts, including debris removal, road reopening and the rehabilitation of bridges and other vital infrastructure in villages affected by the war.

Morcos also addressed ongoing diplomatic efforts to halt what he described as “Israeli attacks,” including demolition operations in southern Lebanon. He said President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam were stepping up international outreach, both through the cease-fire monitoring mechanism and with allied and partner countries worldwide, in an effort to secure international support to end the attacks.

Regarding the Lebanon-Israel negotiations set to resume Tuesday in Rome, Morcos said Salam had emphasized efforts to secure “successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory, leading to a complete withdrawal from Lebanon.”

Iran denies Trump’s announcement of new talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that dialogue with Iran would resume, but Tehran later denied that any negotiations were underway, insisting that no talks were taking place amid the war, which has now dragged on for five months, according to AFP.

Iran’s response came during the Foreign Ministry’s weekly press briefing. “We are not negotiating with the United States at the moment. We are negotiating with Oman to secure a passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai said.

Yaroun ravaged by fire, more than 1.2 million square meters burned, municipality says

The fires in Yaroun seen this morning from neighboring villages. (Credit: Photo provided by Mountasser Abdallah/ OLJ)

A fire that broke out Sunday continued to ravage Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district, overnight, according to the village’s mayor, Hafez Ghacham, who spoke to L’Orient Today correspondent Mountasser Abdallah. He said the blaze had devastated the area’s rich biodiversity, estimating that around 1,200 dunams — nearly 1.2 million square meters — of forest trees, centuries-old olive trees and various fruit trees had been destroyed.

According to the mayor, the flames were visible from the nearby villages of Rmeish and Ain Ibl, which remain inhabited, unlike Yaroun, which is currently inaccessible due to the Israeli occupation. This inaccessibility has made it impossible for Lebanese teams to intervene and attempt to contain the fire, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent.

In its statement, the Yaroun municipality directly blamed the Israeli army for the fire. “We are submitting images of this disaster to the United Nations and to all countries that claim to stand for freedom and democracy while supporting this occupier, in the hope that they will finally wake up and recognize what it is doing in southern Lebanon,” the statement said.

The municipality also criticized Lebanese authorities, accusing them of “granting the occupier legitimacy to remain on our land under the pretext of negotiations and a disastrous framework agreement.” Lebanon is set to hold a new round of direct talks with Israel in Rome on Tuesday, a process that has been opposed by Hezbollah since it began in April.

Lebanon-Israel: Border villages call for suspension of talks over southern Lebanon destruction

Ahead of a new round of direct Lebanon-Israel negotiations scheduled for Tuesday in Rome, the Gathering of Southern Border Villages issued a statement calling on Lebanese authorities to halt talks with Israel as long as it continues to level, demolish and destroy border villages day and night despite the cease-fire.

The group also denounced what it described as “incomprehensible and reprehensible silence” over the destruction at the local, Arab and international levels. It called on Lebanese citizens to “stand in solidarity” in the face of what it described as a campaign of destruction and to continue demanding an end to the occupation.

South Lebanon: New demolition reported between Taybeh and Qantara

This photo showing the extent of the destruction in southern Lebanon was shared by the Gathering of Border Villages. (Credit: Photo provided by Mountasser Abdallah)

Following a night of explosions across southern Lebanon, the Israeli army carried out another large-scale demolition operation Monday morning between the villages of Taybeh and Qantara, in the Marjayoun district, at around 9:30 a.m., according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent.

Shortly before, at around 9 a.m., an Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb over Byout al-Siyad, near Sour.

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss regional de-escalation

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call Sunday evening from his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, during which the two officials discussed the latest regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions, according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry posted on X.

Earlier that day, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the suspension of large-scale strikes on Iran. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had called Trump overnight Saturday to Sunday, urging him to reconsider plans for a major attack on Iran and to prioritize dialogue.

The Saudi ministry said bin Farhan reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to playing a regional role aimed at promoting security and stability in a way that serves the shared interests of countries and peoples across the region.

Israeli army sets olive groves ablaze in Yaroun

Around midnight, the Israeli army set olive groves on fire in Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district. The flames, which were visible from several kilometers away, decimated large areas of agricultural land.

In a statement, the municipality condemned the fires, saying they were part of ongoing destruction and bulldozing operations that had already affected homes, places of worship and private property in the village. It described the fires as an attack on the environment, as well as on local heritage and culture, and called on the United Nations and the international community to act in response to attacks targeting Yaroun and other areas of southern Lebanon.

The municipality also reaffirmed residents’ attachment to their land and their right to return and rebuild, despite the extensive damage to homes and agricultural areas.

On Saturday, the occupied village of Zawtar Sharqieh's mayor said he suspected the Israeli army of stealing around 600 centuries-old olive trees from the village after satellite images showed an entire olive grove had been cleared.

Lebanon-South: Israeli strike hits Ali Taher strategic hill

Around midnight, Israeli fighter jets struck Ali Taher hills in southern Lebanon with two missiles, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.

The strike comes amid signs that Israel may be preparing a ground operation aimed at taking control of the strategic position.

Lebanon: Weekend marked by major Israeli destruction ahead of Rome talks

Israel carried out a series of demolitions and strikes across several southern Lebanese villages over the weekend, in one of the most significant escalations since the June cease-fire. The violence comes ahead of Lebanon-Israel negotiations in Rome from Aug. 4-6 under U.S. mediation.

US: Trump announces new Iran talks starting Monday

U.S. President Donald Trump said fresh negotiations with Iran would begin Monday, after announcing he had called off planned strikes on Tehran on the condition that a deal could quickly be reached.

He said the talks would focus on resolving tensions, including over the Strait of Hormuz.

South Lebanon: Explosions and Israeli strikes reported across border villages

A series of powerful explosions, airstrikes and fires were reported in several southern Lebanese areas on Sunday night.

Israeli forces carried out blasts in Haddatha and between Majdal Zoun and Mansouri, where residents reported fires and heavy smoke.

Iran: Tehran says Oman transit route deal is close

Iran said it was nearing an agreement with Oman on a new shipping transit route through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran said negotiations were in their final phase, with the issue remaining a key point of tension in the regional conflict.

Gaza: Israeli strikes kill at least 13

Israeli strikes killed at least 13 people across Gaza on Sunday, according to Gaza Civil Defense.

The attacks came days after an announced agreement involving the disarmament of Hamas and a phased Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza, though Israel has not officially responded.

Good morning and welcome to today's live coverage of the news.

We will be following developments in Lebanon as Israel continues to carry out strikes in the South.

We will also be covering developments across the wider Middle East region, as U.S. President Donald Trump called off planned strikes on Iran on Saturday and announced that new talks would take place today.

Catch up on the weekend’s news with our Morning Brief here.