Tension remained dominant on the southern front, as Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes on southern areas accompanied by artillery shelling. In retaliation, alongside targeting Israeli sites, Hezbollah attacked Kiryat Shmona settlement with dozens of Katyusha rockets in response to the massacres in Nabatieh and Swana.
On the local front, while President Najib Mikati requested the Foreign Minister to urgently file a new complaint against Israel to the UN Security Council, President Nabih Berri emphasized that the bloodshed in the south falls on the responsibility of international envoys, the United Nations, and human rights organizations, not merely for condemnation but for immediate action to halt the Israeli killing machine.
Internationally, the UNIFIL spokesperson, Andrea Tenenti, stressed the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to restore stability near the Blue Line. The United Nations also emphasized the necessity to halt "the dangerous escalation of violence between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon." The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, stated, "The recent escalation is indeed dangerous and must stop."
French Foreign Minister, Stéphane Sejourne, deemed the situation in Lebanon serious but not irreversible, highlighting France's engagement in conflict resolution to avoid a new war in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, expressed Washington's concern over the escalation between the parties but affirmed ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue and prevent further conflict expansion.
Threats escalated between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Galant, informing his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, of the uncompromising response to Hezbollah's attacks. Galant stated, "Our aircraft in the skies of Beirut carry heavy bombs capable of hitting distant targets, and the current escalation against Hezbollah is only a tenth of what we can do; we can attack up to 50 kilometers deep into Beirut and anywhere else."
Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden discussed reaching an agreement with Lebanon in their recent talks. Israel is pessimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement on Lebanon before the end of the Gaza war.
Politically, Prime Minister Saad Hariri continued his meetings, notably with President Nabih Berri at Ain al-Tineh. In a meeting with journalists at the Grand Serail, Hariri reiterated his stance, emphasizing the importance of moderation in all matters. He also suggested that the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement benefits the region and "neutralizes" problems.
Hariri considered that "Lebanon is not a priority for all countries with their own interests," explaining his friendship with former MP Sleiman Frangieh and former Minister Jihad Azour, whom he met in the UAE, stating that he maintains his friendships. He emphasized the need for the Lebanese to help themselves, as countries are preoccupied with their own problems, stressing the importance of a clear understanding.
Regionally, on the 132nd day of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, hospitals and medical centers continued to be targeted, with the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis being bombed. Palestinian factions remain capable of targeting Israeli settlements and cities and engaging in direct clashes with Israeli forces at point-blank range.
On the negotiation front, Qatar is still awaiting Hamas' response to Israel's position presented earlier this week regarding the prisoner exchange deal. The main point of contention regarding the proposed exchange is the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
In other developments, the "Ambrey" maritime security agency reported that a cargo ship was targeted by an explosive shell while sailing east of Aden in Yemen. The ship suffered minor damage due to shrapnel hitting a diesel generator pipe, leading to a leak.
In another incident, the "Jerusalem Post" reported, citing Iranian media, a large explosion near the city of Shahriar near Tehran. "Tasnim" agency reported a fire at a chemical company in Shahriar, indicating that fire trucks are present at the scene.
In the Gulf, Kuwait's Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, issued a decree to dissolve the National Assembly.
Internationally, Russian President Vladimir Putin described his American counterpart, Joe Biden, as someone whose actions are "more predictable" than Donald Trump's, but expressed readiness to deal with the winner of the upcoming US presidential elections in November, whoever it may be.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to enhance trade with Egypt to $15 billion in the short term, adding that the two countries are evaluating cooperation in energy and defense.
