Lebanese port city on the Mediterranean coast, capital of South Governorate
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.
Negotiations to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz have stalled. Trump has announced compensation demands from Iran for past damages and attacks, tying them to any future peace talks while warning of economic pressure. Iran says there is no military solution to Hormuz opening, and regional tensions widen.
Israeli airstrikes in south Lebanon have killed civilians and damaged infrastructure, including a hospital and homes in Nabatieh, Kfar Rumman and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, despite a US-brokered truce. The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands and renewed calls for Hezbollah disarmament and Israeli withdrawal.
The New Arab reports that a Syrian national, known as Al-Daameesh, has been detained in Batroun after allegedly preparing an IS-aligned attack during the pope’s 2025 Lebanon visit. Authorities say he previously served with Nusra Front and IS, with the cell’s dismantling attributed to security measures around the pope’s trip.
Arab League Secretary-General has visited southern Lebanon with a pledge to support Lebanon’s state institutions and army, urging international action to end Israeli attacks and enable displaced residents to return. The visit follows renewed Israeli strikes and ongoing displacement, with UN agencies reporting hundreds of thousands displaced or affected in water, electricity and infrastructure.