Civilian representatives from Israel and Lebanon met for the first time in US-mediated discussions aimed at advancing economic cooperation. Lebanese diplomat Simon Karam, a Maronite Christian and outspoken opponent of Hezbollah, headed the Lebanese team in what Israeli officials described as a breakthrough compared with past negotiations.
Netanyahu instructs envoy to meet Lebanese governmental-economic officials in rare move. This marks a first attempt to establish a foundation for an economic relationship and cooperation between the countries, with Dr. Uri Resnick leading Israeli side.
Diplomatic sources reveal the Trump administration has set a deadline for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, warning that failure to act will make a new military conflict unavoidable.
Hours after the IDF killed Hezbollah’s chief of staff in Beirut, a senior American official told Israel Hayom that the strike had not been coordinated in advance. According to the official, the US was updated only immediately afterward and, as he put it, “my understanding is that he was a target of opportunity and the Israelis seized the chance.”
The strike, dubbed "Black Friday", was in the Dahiyeh stronghold. The target: Haytham 'Ali Tabataba'i, the group's military chief. Israel braces for potential reprisal, as November 2024 truce tested. "Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times," PM says.
Lebanese media reported coordinated airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure across multiple regions as drone activity increased over Dahiyeh.
It is possible Israel will launch a short, proactive operation to strike Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in order to prevent the terrorist organization from rebuilding its strength.
Hezbollah has informed Lebanese leaders that it intends to respond to future Israeli strikes against its operatives, according to a letter the Shia terror organization sent to top officials in Beirut.
The IDF said that, "an initial inquiry suggests that UNIFIL forces stationed nearby deliberately fired at the drone and downed it. The drone's activity did not pose a threat to UNIFIL forces."
Salah Abu-Hussein was freed following negotiations conducted in recent months with the assistance of the Red Cross. He was transferred to Israel at the Rosh Hanikra crossing from Lebanese authorities to the Coordinator of Prisoners and Missing Persons, Gal Hirsch.