Hezbollah Leader Turns Down Recent Ceasefire Pact Between Israel and Lebanon

Qassem stated that Hezbollah has turned down the recent ceasefire pact reached between Israel and the Lebanese government, calling for full Israeli pullout.

In a written statement delivered on Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV on Thursday, the leader of the Iran-backed group noted that the pact's requirement for Hezbollah fighters to exit southern Lebanon while under attack would amount to surrender and defeat while fulfilling the adversary's aims.

He said the focus remains on halting the aggression, securing a ceasefire and ensuring Israel's exit.

He added that no pledge was made to any side to cease resistance while occupation continues.

Key events

2h agoHezbollah Leader Turns Down Recent Ceasefire Pact Between Israel and Lebanon
3h agoTrump Calls House Vote on His War Powers Meaningless
5h agoAoun Describes Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Pact as Last Opportunity
6h agoUS and Israel Trying to Create Division Among Iranians After Defeat, Says Supreme Leader
6h agoUN Peacekeeper Killed in Southern Lebanon, Reports Unifil
6h agoIsrael-Lebanon Ceasefire Called Great Achievement by Katz
6h agoOpening Summary: Israel States Fighting Will Go On in Southern Lebanon Despite Fresh Ceasefire Pact

Lebanese prime minister Nawaf Salam noted that the army would start deployment in pilot zones in the south of the country, one day after Israel and Lebanon reached an accord in Washington to enact a ceasefire.

The next phase involves concrete action with the Lebanese army moving into pilot zones initially, Salam said, according to comments delivered by information minister Paul Morcos following a cabinet session. This step does not affect the right to full withdrawal but moves closer to that goal.

Per a joint statement issued after the Washington discussions that Hezbollah has dismissed, Israel and Lebanon consented to establish pilot zones in south Lebanon where Lebanese army units will hold sole authority over the land, excluding all non-state groups.

Patrick Wintour

Iran's supreme leader Motjaba Khamenei stated in a written message delivered by a cleric that the adversary faces clear and deep humiliation on the ground and in public spaces, and now turns to deception.

After Iran repelled the adversary defeated in battle, it now aims to weaken Iranian resolve and foster discord. The US built a military outpost named Israel, and Iran will hold its position toward Israel, Khamenei wrote.

The UN nuclear watchdog forwarded a report to member states reiterating its calls for Iran to promptly update the agency on the status of its enriched uranium following the bombing of its atomic facilities a year earlier and to allow full resumption of inspections.

The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency has stressed to Iran that effective implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement is essential and urgent, and that Iran cannot suspend this under any conditions, according to the confidential report seen by Reuters.

Earlier today, Lebanon president Joseph Aoun addressed reporters on the Israel-Lebanon discussions in Washington. Here are the main points from the Lebanese presidency:

The fourth round of talks yesterday featured terms strongly favorable to Lebanon and represented the last chance for a final and complete ceasefire.
Once all sides, including Hezbollah, respond, Lebanon will notify the US to advance the ceasefire.
The US will set the date and process for enacting the ceasefire, which could start 24 hours after Washington receives notice of the accord and required assurances. US president Donald Trump will serve as the direct guarantor.
The Lebanese team, headed by Simon Karam, displayed resolve. The talks proved extremely challenging, leading Karam to pause the round and refuse discussion of other matters until a full ceasefire was secured. Talks restarted after US secretary of state Marco Rubio stepped in, ending with Lebanon's request granted.
Lebanon stayed in touch with international and local groups throughout yesterday and this morning to strengthen the ceasefire. Allied countries also helped apply pressure in Lebanon's interest.
For the pilot zones, Lebanon suggested beginning with east and west Zawtar, plus Yohmor and Beaufort Castle, due to the area's symbolic value and nearness to Nabatieh.

Hezbollah Leader Turns Down Recent Ceasefire Pact Between Israel and Lebanon

Qassem stated that Hezbollah has turned down the recent ceasefire pact reached between Israel and the Lebanese government, calling for full Israeli pullout.

He said the focus remains on halting the aggression, securing a ceasefire and ensuring Israel's exit.

He added that no pledge was made to any side to cease resistance while occupation continues.

Lebanon's Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Thursday that while Lebanese villages face bombing and casualties, northern Israel will not remain secure.

This follows Israeli strikes that killed at least four people in Lebanon per local officials, along with a UN peacekeeper killed in crossfire on Thursday.

The recent violence occurred after another ceasefire accord was announced in the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Here are some live images arriving from Lebanon that show the results of the Israeli strikes on the south of the country.

Here is footage capturing the instant Kuwait international airport came under attack yesterday.

One person died and over 60 others suffered injuries, according to Kuwaiti officials and state media, which attributed the strike to Iran.

Iran rejected responsibility, pointing instead to US interceptor missiles that missed their marks. The US countered that this account was incorrect and that Iranian drones struck the airport on purpose.

Trump Calls House Vote on His War Powers Meaningless

Donald Trump dismissed a House vote aimed at curbing his authority to strike Iran without congressional approval, labeling it meaningless.

He highlighted the four Republicans who sided with Democrats to pass the measure by 215 to 208 yesterday.

In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote: Yesterday, in a meaningless vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Dumocrats, to limit my War Powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Who would do such an unpatriotic thing. They know where the negotiations stand. The Democrats are fueled by Trump Derangement Syndrome. They would rather have our Country fail than give me another, of many, victories. The four Republicans, that's a whole other story. They are GRANDSTANDERS! They should be ashamed of themselves. MAGA!!!

Robert Tait

The US House of Representatives issued a striking rebuke to Donald Trump regarding his campaign against Iran on Wednesday, with members supporting a measure to require him to obtain congressional approval or pull back US forces.

The House approved the war powers resolution 215 to 208, with four Republicans joining Democrats. The dissenting Republicans included Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Tom Barrett of Michigan.

Wednesday's vote followed nearly two weeks after House Republicans scrapped an earlier planned vote, citing insufficient support to defeat it.

The resolution now moves to the Senate. Several Senate Republican holdouts joined Democrats last month to advance a comparable measure requiring Trump to seek congressional approval after four Republican senators broke ranks and voted with Democrats.