Lebanese town in the Nabatieh Governorate that sits at the southern edge of conflict
The New York Times has verified footage showing the use of white phosphorus by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, including Nabatieh, Tyre, and other towns, as fighting with Hezbollah continues since March. The substance creates smoke screens and can ignite, prompting concerns about civilian harm under international law. Israel denies deliberate violations, while rights groups warn of potential harm.
Israeli forces have carried out strikes and patrol operations in southern Lebanon since a US‑brokered framework was signed, killing and wounding civilians and soldiers and prompting Hezbollah to warn of retaliation. Washington and Tehran have pushed ceasefire mechanisms and talks, but Israel is keeping troops in a south Lebanese security zone while Lebanon resists disarming Hezbollah.
A Gaza City school built entirely of wood is serving around 850 students, with plans to expand to about 2,200. The project, led by the Wefaq Humanitarian Foundation, provides desks, classrooms, and a roof after years of disruption to education amid ongoing conflict.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem has criticised Lebanon’s participation in US-mediated talks with Israel in Rome and has rejected a June framework that ties Israeli withdrawals to verified disarmament and Lebanese army deployments in pilot zones. Technical teams have met in Rome while Israeli strikes, demolitions and clashes in southern Lebanon are continuing and Beirut is pressing Washington for verification guarantees.
Lebanon says it will pursue legal action over Israeli actions in southern Lebanon as negotiations in Rome aim to move forward on the June framework. Human rights figures warn of potential war crimes amid continued demolitions and displacement.
Lebanon and Israel have identified a shortlist of potential foreign partners to verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, with the United States overseeing which nations participate. Negotiations remain in the early stages, and the next round is scheduled for early September.
The seventh round of talks mediated by the United States between Lebanon and Israel has stretched into a third day in Rome. Negotiators are debating prisoner releases and, controversially, the transfer of remains of Lebanese Jews buried in Beirut and Sidon. Israel ties progress to resolving long-standing disappearances and to uncovering the fate of Ron Arad. Beirut says it cannot locate such records, complicating what was meant to be a humanitarian issue.