continued drone attacks attributed to Hezbollah

Lebanon says direct damage from Israeli war estimated at $3-4 billion

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A view of the destruction as Lebanese residents return to their homes following the agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran in Nabatieh, Lebanon on June 15, 2026. [Houssam Shbaro – Anadolu Agency]

Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos said Monday direct material damage from Israel’s war on Lebanon is estimated at between $3-4 billion, Anadolu reports.

Speaking following a ministerial meeting, Morcos said the figures are preliminary and do not include economic losses or indirect damage, according to the state news agency NNA.

The estimates come as the Israeli army continues daily violations of a US-mediated framework agreement signed with Beirut.

On Monday, Israeli forces blew up homes and carried out explosions in two towns in southern Lebanon, and detonated explosives overnight in the town of Houla in Marjayoun district.

Morcos said Monday’s ministerial meeting discussed the results of field visits by ministers to southern villages and towns, including ways to support the return of residents to their areas and provide proper shelter.

The ministers also discussed supporting the needs of municipalities and local economic sectors to help residents return, ahead of the launch of reconstruction efforts, he said.

READ: Netanyahu denies Trump restricted Israeli strikes in Lebanon

On May 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement under US mediation, which provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

The agreement, however, does not set a timetable for a full withdrawal and links further pullbacks to the Lebanese army assuming security responsibilities and the disarmament of non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah.

Lebanese officials said the agreement represented a “first step” toward restoring state sovereignty over all its territory and allowing displaced people to return to their towns.

Hezbollah, however, called the agreement “null and void,” saying that linking Israeli withdrawal to its disarmament crossed “all red lines.”

Since March 2, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 4,300 people and injured over 12,000 others, according to official figures.

Israeli forces also continue to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war, while advancing more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory during the latest offensive.

READ: Lebanon says 400,000 displaced people have returned south as government prepares reconstruction plan

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is participating defensively in Trump and Israel's criminal war for Israel's genocidal expansion in Iran and states that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said "I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is participating defensively in Trump and Israel’s criminal war for Israel’s genocidal expansion in Iran and states that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
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Continue ReadingLebanon says direct damage from Israeli war estimated at $3-4 billion

Israeli ministers call for escalation and strikes on Beirut

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Portraits of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich and Michael Ben Ari, in Jerusalem. [THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images]

Two senior ministers in the Israeli government called on Monday for a major military escalation in Lebanon following continued drone attacks attributed to Hezbollah.

During a meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate with US President Donald Trump and announce what he described as a “return to war in Lebanon.”

According to reports, Ben-Gvir called for cutting electricity supplies to Lebanon, taking control of the Zahrani area, and resuming intensive military operations.

READ: Netanyahu threatens to expand offensive in Lebanon as Washington signals support

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich went further by explicitly calling for strikes on Beirut in response to Hezbollah drone operations targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and along the border.

In a post on Telegram, Smotrich wrote: “For every explosive drone, ten buildings in Beirut should be brought down.”

He also announced the allocation of approximately two billion Israeli shekels — around $692 million — to develop systems designed to counter Hezbollah drones.

The statements came after the Israeli military announced the death of another Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon.

According to official Israeli figures cited in the reports, 24 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the start of the current offensive in Lebanon last March.

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
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Continue ReadingIsraeli ministers call for escalation and strikes on Beirut