Currently Online 
French UN troops came under fire in Lebanon: Foreign Ministry
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol comprising French troops came under fire yesterday, France’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that none of its forces were wounded in the incident.
It did not say who was responsible for the shooting, but stressed that the safety and security of UN personnel, property and premises must be ensured.
“France reiterates that it is imperative that UNIFIL be able to exercise its freedom of movement so that it can fully implement its mandate,” the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
Israel says hit over 100 targets in Lebanon in past day
The Israeli military says it has struck more than 100 targets in Lebanon over the past day and has “eliminated” two Hezbollah commanders on the weekend. The targets included “launchers, weapons storage facilities, command centres, and military structures”, the army said in a statement.
It also said: “On Sunday, the [air force] eliminated the commanders of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missile and operations unit in the coastal sector.”
Hezbollah chief says response to Israeli strikes on Beirut will be on ‘central Tel Aviv’
Naim Qassem has vowed to retaliate against Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital, saying that this retaliation will be in the “heart of Tel Aviv”. He also acknowledged that Hezbollah was dealt a blow when its former chief Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated by Israel.
But he said that the group is steadfast and resilient and that its fighters can engage anywhere and fend off Israeli forces.
“We demonstrated our fortitude, steadfastness, bravery and intrepidness, to the degrees that some of our fighters are competing to get deployed to the forefront,” Qassem said.
Hezbollah’s leader says that negotiations will continue as long as the following are achieved: a total and permanent ceasefire and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
“At the end of the day, the Israelis expect to achieve victory that they failed to achieve on the ground,” he said, adding that Hezbollah is prepared for a long war.
“If negotiations fail, we will continue to fight. Those who claim that this is a war of attrition, yes, it’s true, but attrition to the Israeli enemy. We are capable and we will endure,” Qassem added.
Lebanon death toll rises
At least 3558 people have been killed and 15123 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since October 7, 2023, Lebanon’s health ministry says. Of those, 14 were killed and 87 wounded in the latest 24-hour reporting period, the ministry added.
