Lebanon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday night publicly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy for the first time. Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit alongside U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, Netanyahu drew a sharp comparison to how America would respond if terrorists across its border were killing its citizens. Huckabee added with a smile: "Before I came here, I checked to make sure I hadn’t been fired for backing Israel’s operations in Lebanon."

Israel’s Home Front Command said that starting Monday at 6 a.m., the entire country will be considered an area without restrictions. Hezbollah responded: "There is no ceasefire with freedom of action for Israel. The IDF must withdraw."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a situational assessment with division and brigade commanders in southern Lebanon following the ceasefire announcement. He said the IDF is operating extensively in the Ali Taher and Beaufort areas.

Reserve Sgt. Alexander Pilin, z"l, a fighter in the Ga'ash Division (36) headquarters, was laid to rest at the cemetery in Haifa after being killed last Wednesday by an explosive device in southern Lebanon. The decorated sniper had spoken with his daughter just hours before he was killed.

President Donald Trump threatened Iran over reports it could close the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country will not stop enriching uranium. Trump responded: "He should keep his mouth shut." On Lebanon, Trump added: "Israel can’t move Hezbollah."

Defense Minister ישראל כ"ץ pushed back on reports that new limits had been placed on IDF activity in Lebanon, saying the forces are continuing to operate against threats: "Protecting the lives of our soldiers and our civilians is an absolute top priority."

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived at the hall in Switzerland where talks between the delegations got underway. Vance said, "Iran is prepared to reduce the level of enrichment." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, "We will never give up our right to enrich uranium."

The IDF cleared for publication the name of the fourth soldier killed in the battalion commander’s tank disaster in southern Lebanon. Staff Sgt. Naveh Chabshush, 20, from Geva Binyamin, fell alongside his commander and three fellow crew members.

Netanyahu vows to maintain Israel's military presence in southern Lebanon amid U.S. pressure to withdraw.

The IDF said that "in accordance with operational needs, the IDF is deployed in the security zone, about 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory." Israeli officials also called on the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to prevent Lebanese civilians from returning to areas where IDF forces are operating.

Israeli officials fear U.S. pressure tied to the Iran track could lead to delayed weapons shipments and security restrictions

Trump urges Israel to adopt a softer approach in Lebanon amid ongoing US-Israel negotiations.

President Donald Trump said, "I gave Israel a copy of the memorandum of understanding with Iran." At the same time, he continued criticizing Israel’s conduct in Lebanon: "You don’t have to take down a building every time there’s a Hezbollah operative inside."

Arab media reported that the memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran includes a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance pushed back against critics of the deal: "We achieved the goals President Trump set."

The Israeli Air Force intercepted several rockets launched at IDF forces in southern Lebanon and struck the launcher used in the attack. Separately, a suspicious vehicle identified in the area of operations was targeted after troops first fired warning shots.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today that an immediate end to the fighting in Lebanon, along with an IDF withdrawal, is part of the agreement with the U.S. Meanwhile, Lebanese media reported that the IDF carried out a targeted killing in southern Lebanon.

President Donald Trump briefly addressed the memorandum of understanding with Iran, which is set to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday. He stressed: "It’s a good deal. But if Iran develops nuclear weapons, all hell will come down on them."

Forces from the IDF’s 36th Division are continuing operations to clear the tunnel network and underground infrastructure built with Iranian funding and support in southern Lebanon. In one of the routes, maps were found on the tunnel walls illustrating the enemy’s deployment and the threat that had been planned against the communities of the Galilee Panhandle.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun responded to reports that Iran is trying to link Hezbollah’s war with Israel to the broader fighting in the Persian Gulf. His message was unequivocal: "Lebanon’s future is in the hands of the Lebanese, not Iran or Israel."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a recorded message in English aimed at the Lebanese people, stressing: "Israel wants peace. Once Hezbollah is dismantled, the possibilities for both peoples will be endless, and the sky is the limit."