Lebanon

Marking 20 years since the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War, the IDF released footage and details from the operations of the 98th and 91st divisions in Bint Jbeil, one of Hezbollah’s main strongholds in southern Lebanon.

A Lebanese report claims Hezbollah is preparing for military escalation against Israel while Israeli and Lebanese officials continue negotiations in Rome.

The IDF released new footage after completing a two-month operation against Hezbollah, highlighting strikes on tunnels, launchers, and terror infrastructure.

Lebanon is expected to demand an Israeli withdrawal timetable during upcoming talks in Rome, while Israel reportedly opposes the proposal.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will remain in its security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and the threat to northern communities is eliminated.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation in southern Lebanon. In a conversation with Syrian President Mahmoud al-Sharaa, the American president once again raised the idea that Syria could deal with Hezbollah. Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold another round of talks in about two weeks.

A reserve platoon commander seriously wounded in southern Lebanon underwent life-saving surgery after shrapnel lodged just millimeters from his aorta.

The Bank of Israel lowered its benchmark interest rate to 3.5%, citing stable inflation and improving economic conditions while raising its growth forecast.

The IDF says it has taken operational control of Houla in southern Lebanon, destroying more than 90 Hezbollah terror sites and seizing over 150 weapons.

Netanyahu pushed back on Vance’s criticism and dismissed reports of a rift with Trump, saying occasional disagreements are discussed openly.

During a visit to southern Lebanon, IDF Chief Eyal Zamir said Hezbollah has been weakened and warned that any threat to Israel will be struck immediately.

Marking 1,000 days since the war began, Defense Minister ישראל כ"ץ outlined Israel’s achievements across multiple fronts and said the IDF will remain in security zones while preparing for an independent strike on Iran if needed.

IDF officials said troops from the 91st Division are continuing operations in the security zone in southern Lebanon, where they say they have been locating Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure. In the latest activity, forces uncovered an underground shaft, a rocket storage site, explosives, and additional weapons.

Beginning tomorrow, Iran will launch a week of funeral events for Ali Khamenei. He is set to be buried next week in Mashhad. So far, there is no confirmation that his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, will take part in the ceremonies. At the same time, Iran is escalating its threats against Israel and the U.S.

Marking 20 years since the Second Lebanon War, Israel held the state memorial ceremony for those who fell in the war. In his remarks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Not only is Israel not weak like a spider’s web, as Nasrallah said — Israel is strong like strands of steel."

The U.S. reportedly drafted a demands document and asked Israel to commit to it in order to move forward with a governing alternative to Hamas — even without the group being disarmed. A senior American representative also reportedly met with top Hamas officials.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel is preparing for the possibility that fighting with Iran could flare up again: "If Iran fires missiles at Israel, Israel will strike Iran with force — it could happen within two days."

The Israeli government approved a 45-day extension of the special emergency situation on the home front, citing continued security uncertainty involving Lebanon and the Hezbollah terror group. The decision is based on security officials’ assessment that the threat to civilians has not yet been removed.

Nabih Berri, speaker of Lebanon’s parliament and a representative of the Amal movement, a Hezbollah ally, spoke out against the agreement between the Lebanese government and Israel. The head of U.S. Central Command is expected to arrive in Lebanon to monitor the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas vacated by the IDF.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, talks between the U.S. and Iran that were supposed to take place in Switzerland with mediating countries present have been put on hold בעקבות the latest escalation between the two countries.