Lebanon

Lebanese president condemns killing of 3 soldiers in Israeli strike

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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Presidential Place on November 30, 2025 in Beirut, Lebanon. [Stringer – Anadolu Agency]

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday condemned the killing of three Lebanese soldiers in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and international law, Anadolu reports.

The Israeli army acknowledged targeting a Lebanese military vehicle and said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the strike.

In a statement, Aoun condemned what he described as an Israeli attack on a Lebanese army patrol on the Khardali-Nabatieh road that killed two officers and a soldier.

He said the attack was part of the ongoing Israeli escalation that threatens stability and security in southern Lebanon despite diplomatic efforts and ongoing talks in Washington aimed at ending Israeli attacks.

Aoun urged the international community to assume its responsibilities, stop repeated attacks on Lebanon and ensure respect for relevant international resolutions.

Earlier Saturday, the Lebanese army said an Israeli strike targeted a military vehicle on the Kfartebnit-Khardali road in the Nabatieh area, killing a brigadier general, a captain and a soldier.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the strike as “a crime” and an attack against Lebanon and all Lebanese people.

READ: Israeli strikes in Lebanon kills 10 people, including 3 Lebanese army members

In a separate statement, Hezbollah condemned the attack as a deliberate crime and accused Lebanese authorities of making concessions that encouraged further Israeli actions.

Following the incident, the Israeli army said it had identified a vehicle moving suspiciously toward its forces near Kfartebnit in what it described as an active combat zone.

The army claimed it had received a warning about gunfire directed at its troops in the area and said intelligence indicated extensive Hezbollah activity there.

It said the vehicle was targeted because it was considered a threat to Israeli forces.

According to the army, an initial review showed that two Lebanese officers and a soldier were inside the vehicle.

The strike came despite a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April 17 and extended by Washington until early July amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed hostilities.

At the conclusion of four rounds of talks in Washington on Thursday, the US, Lebanon and Israel announced a declaration of intent that includes a complete halt to Hezbollah fire and the withdrawal of the group’s fighters from areas south of the Litani River.

However, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected the outcome of the talks, saying they were unacceptable to broad segments of the Lebanese population.

Israel has intensified its military campaign in Lebanon since March 2 amid the regional conflict linked to the war with Iran. According to Lebanese figures, the attacks have killed 3,558 people and injured 10,870 others, while displacing more than one million people.

READ: Netanyahu says no agreement currently in place with Lebanon

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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/

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingLebanese president condemns killing of 3 soldiers in Israeli strike

Iran says navy fired warning shots toward US destroyers in Sea of Oman

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Iranian military personnel take part in an exercise titled “Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz”, launched by the Naval Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is being carried out in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on February 16, 2026. [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Anadolu Agency]

The Israeli army on Friday warned residents of nine towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes ahead of targeting the areas, despite efforts to solidify a ceasefire, Anadolu reports.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued a warning to residents of Arnaya, also known as Arnaba, Anqoun in the Sidon district, and Kfar Fila in Nabatieh, ordering them to move at least 1,000 meters, or about 3,280 feet, away to open areas.

The army later expanded the evacuation orders to include Sarafand, Tafahta, Babliyeh, Qa’qaiyet al-Snawbar, Marwaniyeh and Saksakiyeh in Sidon.

Adraee urged residents to leave their homes immediately and head north of the Zahrani River.

Israel has carried out an intensified deadly escalation in Lebanon in recent days, claiming that Hezbollah is violating a ceasefire agreement announced on April 17 and extended until early July.

Israel violates the agreement daily through deadly bombardment and the widespread demolition of homes, while Hezbollah responds by firing rockets and drones at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

READ: Iran was ready to turn any Israeli advance on Beirut’s southern suburbs into “hell”, Rezaei says

A joint Lebanese-US-Israeli statement announced early Thursday that Beirut and Tel Aviv had agreed during talks in Washington to implement a ceasefire based on a complete halt to Hezbollah attacks and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah members from the area south of the Litani River.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the US would determine the timing and mechanism for implementing the ceasefire, which could begin within 24 hours of receiving approval.

But Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected the outcomes of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 conflict. During the current offensive, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory, marking their deepest incursion since 2000.

More than 3,500 people have been killed and over 10,000 injured in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.

READ: Iran sets conditions for accepting Trump plan to end war

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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/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIran says navy fired warning shots toward US destroyers in Sea of Oman

“The UK must put an end to the impunity that has enabled and emboldened the Israeli Government” – Ellie Chowns reacts to Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon

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Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.
Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.

Reacting to Israel’s escalating action in Lebanon, Dr Ellie Chowns MP said:

“Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon has already killed thousands of people, displaced more than a million from their homes, and destroyed vital infrastructure, displaying an indefensible disregard for civilian lives and international law.

“This cannot continue. The UK must put an end to the impunity that has enabled and emboldened the Israeli Government on the world stage. The Green Party repeats our calls for the UK Government to end all arms sales to and military cooperation with Israel, to drive independent investigations into war crimes and support justice mechanisms for victims, and to impose sanctions on Netanyahu and all other government officials responsible for breaches of international law.

“The people of Lebanon – like the people of Palestine, Iran, and Israel – deserve to live in safety and peace, not to have their human rights used as bargaining chips which can be disregarded without consequence. The UK must stand on the side of international law and justice, and act now to help prevent further atrocity.”

Continue Reading“The UK must put an end to the impunity that has enabled and emboldened the Israeli Government” – Ellie Chowns reacts to Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon

UN peacekeeper killed, 2 others wounded in shelling in southern Lebanon

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The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are seen as they have reported that the Israeli army constructed two walls inside Lebanese territory along the border, in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, near the town of Yaroun, Nabatieh, Lebanon on November 15, 2025. [Ramiz Dallah – Anadolu Agency]

A peacekeeper serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed and two others were wounded after mortar shells struck their position in southern Lebanon, the mission said Thursday, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, UNIFIL said the peacekeeper sustained critical injuries “when mortar shells struck his position near Marjayoun, southeastern Lebanon” late Wednesday night.

The injured peacekeeper was evacuated by air to a hospital in Beirut, where he later died from his wounds.

The mission said two other peacekeepers were also injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at a medical facility inside a UNIFIL base.

The peacekeeping force said it has launched an investigation “to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to this tragic incident.”

“UNIFIL has detected an increasingly high number of trajectories and impacts in South Lebanon. The violence must end,” the mission said.

READ: Hezbollah rejects Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack that targeted a UNIFIL position near Marjayoun, identifing the deceased soldier as Sgt. Milovan Jovanovic of Serbia, born in 1989, citing the Serbian Defense Ministry.

It said attacks against peacekeepers carrying out their mission to maintain international peace and security constitute a “serious violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701,” which ended the war between Israel and Lebanon in 2006.

It said it was awaiting the outcome of an investigation into the attack and expressed solidarity with UNIFIL leadership, while wishing a speedy recovery to the two injured peacekeepers from El Salvador and Spain.

Lebanon and Israel agreed Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and establish “pilot zones” placing the Lebanese army in exclusive territorial control, with all non-state actors excluded.

The agreement was announced in a joint statement released following a fourth round of US-mediated talks held at the State Department.

The US-sponsored talks followed weeks of near-daily Israeli strikes on Lebanon that have killed nearly 3,500 people since March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect April 17 and later extended to early July.

READ: Lebanese soldier killed in Israeli strike in new ceasefire violation

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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/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingUN peacekeeper killed, 2 others wounded in shelling in southern Lebanon

Ex-Israeli premier warns Netanyahu could try to ‘steal’ next elections

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Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert. [Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images]

Former Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert warned Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies could attempt to manipulate the next general elections, accusing them of using intimidation and coercion in the Knesset vote that elected a new state comptroller, Anadolu reports.

His warning came a day after the Knesset’s election of Michael Rabello, the Netanyahu family’s lawyer, as Israel’s new state comptroller.

Rabello, backed by the governing coalition, narrowly defeated opposition-backed retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron, amid warnings of potential conflicts of interest.

The opposition has alleged that the vote was marred by irregularities, including warnings for lawmakers against supporting the opposition candidate.

“What happened yesterday is a preview of what will happen in the next Knesset elections,” Olmert told Israel’s 103FM radio.

The current Knesset’s term expires in October, although legislation to dissolve parliament and potentially bring forward elections has been proposed.

“They are trying to rig the elections and steal them,” Olmert said. “They will try to do at polling stations what they did yesterday at the Knesset voting station, in front of television cameras and the entire world.

READ: “My plan”: Netanyahu letter reveals Israel’s bid to replace US aid with military fusion

“They used mechanisms of blackmail and threats in violation of the law. This criminal gang is led by the prime minister and his aides,” Olmert said.

“I am issuing a warning,” he continued. “The prime minister and the gang of thugs governing the country with him will try to steal the elections.

“They believe they can prevent voters from going to the polls and influence the results,” he said.

“What happened yesterday involved blackmail through threats, vote theft, and the use of organized-crime methods to elect the candidate the prime minister wanted.”

No strategic benefit

Turning to Lebanon, Olmert said there is a framework that could eventually lead to peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

“There are some minor territorial issues that can undoubtedly be resolved,” he said.

Early Thursday, a joint Lebanese-US-Israeli statement announced that Beirut and Tel Aviv had agreed during talks in Washington to implement a ceasefire based on a complete halt to Hezbollah fire and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah members from the area south of the Litani River.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the US would determine the timing and mechanism for implementing the ceasefire, which could begin within 24 hours of receiving approval.

“Our problem is that we (Israelis) have a government that wants war in Lebanon, a government that wants to stay there,” Olmert said.

“It is a government under pressure from a group of lunatics who believe that southern Lebanon, eastern Syria, Gaza, and perhaps Yemen in the future are all lands given to them by God.”

READ: Israeli businessman claims Trump threatened Netanyahu through his wife over Lebanon plans

He argued that part of any agreement with Lebanon should involve coordinated cooperation between Israel and the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah.

The Lebanese government is already pursuing a plan to place all weapons under state control, including Hezbollah’s arms, but the group insists it is a resistance movement against Israeli occupation and has rejected disarmament.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has described direct negotiations with Israel as “absurd, humiliating and disgraceful,” saying any outcome would be “completely unacceptable” to broad segments of Lebanese society.

Olmert also said that if US President Donald Trump reaches an agreement with Iran to end the war between Washington and Tehran, it could create a framework for cooperation on the Hezbollah weapons issue.

“Our ground operations in southern Lebanon continue without practical value,” he said. “Israel should not have entered there. Our ground presence has brought no strategic benefit.”

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023–2024 conflict. During the current offensive, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, marking their deepest incursion since 2000.

READ: Islamic Jihad accuses Israel of continued violations of Gaza ceasefire

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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/

Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingEx-Israeli premier warns Netanyahu could try to ‘steal’ next elections