• Israel also attacked southern Lebanon, hitting the area between the towns of Qantara and Deir Siryan, despite signing an agreement with the Lebanese government to end hostilities.

US lawmaker calls for end to ‘US-backed war crimes’ in Lebanon

Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic congresswoman, says she will force another vote in Congress to end US involvement in the Israeli “apartheid regime’s campaign of ethnic cleansing and territorial expansion” in Lebanon.

“Congress must vote to end U.S. support for these atrocities and force an end to Israel’s invasion and illegal military occupation of Lebanese territory,” she wrote on X.

“Over 4,250 people have been massacred. Twelve children are killed or maimed every day as these U.S.-backed war crimes continue,” she added.

Lebanese town of Froun marks test for truce with Israelis

In southern Lebanon, the town of Froun has become a new test for Israelis and Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire.

Israel failed to take the town during recent fighting but now wants the Lebanese army to remove Hezbollah’s presence there under a deal brokered in Washington.

Many residents say that plan threatens Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Slovakia says Lebanon must not become ‘another Gaza’

Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar has urged Israel to respect agreements made between the US and Iran, according to the Slovak news agency TASR.

Blanar, speaking alongside Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares during a news conference in Bratislava, stressed the need for diplomatic solutions to conflicts in the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip and tensions involving Iran.

“We don’t want Lebanon to be another part of Gaza, and therefore, it is necessary for Israel to also abide by the agreements that were concluded between the United States of America and Iran,” Blanar said.

He emphasized that Bratislava and Madrid share a similar approach to international conflicts, prioritizing diplomacy, dialogue and respect for international law.

Drones drop stun grenades in southern Lebanon: State media

An Israeli drone has attacked a house in the Haddatha area in the Bint Jbeil district of the Nabatieh governorate of southern Lebanon, according to the National News Agency.

It added that another drone dropped a stun grenade on the eastern side of the town of Bereshit in the Bint Jbeil district.

The agency reported no human casualties in the incidents.

Lebanese president, army chief discuss troops’ role in deal with Israel

Joseph Aoun has discussed the army’s upcoming responsibilities with Commander Rodolphe Haykal following the US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel aimed at ending the war.

A Lebanese presidency statement said Aoun received Haykal and was briefed on the outcomes of the army commander’s recent visits to Turkey and the UK, which focused on military cooperation.

They also reviewed the country’s security situation and discussed the army’s upcoming missions in light of the results of the Lebanese-US-Israeli negotiations and the framework agreement to end the war in Lebanon, the presidency said.

On Friday, Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement providing for “a phased” Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territory, beginning with two “pilot areas” that were not publicly identified.

The agreement does not set a timetable for the withdrawal, linking it instead to the Lebanese army assuming full security responsibility in evacuated areas and the disarmament of armed groups.

Aoun praised the army’s leadership, officers and personnel for their role in extending state authority, maintaining security and stability, securing Lebanon’s borders and preserving civil peace.

Baghaei says Iran’s position regarding Lebanon is clear

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson has reiterated Tehran’s stance on the war in Lebanon.

The US’s commitment to ending the war on all fronts, especially in Lebanon, is important in line with the first paragraph of the memorandum of understanding, he said, speaking to reporters.

“America must adhere to its commitments and, if necessary, force the Zionist regime to implement its commitments,” Baghaei added.

“Our criterion for measuring America’s adherence to its commitments is the text of the memorandum of understanding.”

Death toll rises in Lebanon from Israeli attacks

At least 4,278 people have been killed and 12,196 wounded by Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, when the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed, the state-run National News Agency reported.

US Treasury, Gulf partners level joint sanctions against alleged Hezbollah members, financial entities

The US Treasury Department has announced joint sanctions by the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) against five entities and 16 individuals it claims are linked to Hezbollah’s financial network.

The TFTC, a multilateral body co-chaired by the US and Saudi Arabia that includes Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, established the coordinated measures to target the al-Qard al-Hassan Association translated as “the benevolent loan association” which the Treasury alleges masquerades as a non-governmental organization while providing financial services similar to an unlicensed bank.

The actions also target Bayt al-Mal, described by US officials as the group’s unofficial treasury and investment arm.

Israel claims it killed Hezbollah fighter in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army says it has killed what it claims was a Hezbollah fighter near the so-called “security zone” in the al-Manzala area in southern Lebanon.

The “security zone” is an area of southern Lebanon that Israeli forces are occupying north of the Israeli border.

Israel continues to commit attacks in this area and target villages on the frontline despite a “ceasefire” deal struck between Israel and Lebanon.

Buffer zones mark a ‘paradigm shift’ on the border with Lebanon: Netanyahu

Netanyahu says Israeli forces would remain in the “security zone” in southern Lebanon “until the threat is eliminated” and that the buffer zones being established in Lebanon and Gaza mark a “paradigm shift” in preventing armed groups from holding ground along Israel’s borders.

“As long as Hezbollah is armed and present here, posing a threat to us, we will remain here,” Netanyahu said, adding that the buffer zones were being built “not on our side of the border, but on their side”.

Israeli security officials say no timelines for withdrawal from Lebanon

Israeli officials say the planned withdrawal of Israeli forces from two villages in southern Lebanon will be delayed pending agreement on a US oversight mechanism, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reports.

“There are currently no timelines. The withdrawal will take place, but it must be done properly,” Israeli security officials told Kan, adding that the pullback would only proceed once clear criteria are set, requiring the Lebanese army to act immediately against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.

Qatar’s PM reaffirms mediation efforts in meeting with Witkoff and Kushner

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Doha to discuss the ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington.

In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the country’s mediation efforts during the meeting and its support for all negotiations stemming from the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.

“The meeting also addressed the latest regional developments, particularly the ceasefire in the fraternal Republic of Lebanon.”

In a separate statement, the ministry said that “the Iranian and American technical delegations remain in session, noting that these meetings are taking place in different contexts and with the participation of mediators to ensure their continuity, whether in Doha or elsewhere”.

The ministry added that there are “currently no high-level meetings between the Iranian and American sides” under way.