Israeli strikes in Aitaroun, Mais al-Jabal, and Bint Jbeil killed four people in southern Lebanon this morning.

Over the past week, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to talks to resolve remaining territorial disputes along the Blue Line. Reportedly, the talks are primarily the result of pressure from the Trump Administration to push forward efforts at Lebanon ascending to the Abraham Accords. If so, it may be a stretch, considering the new government remains in opposition to the Israeli occupation of the south and retains its claims to disputed territories, especially Shebaa Farms.

As the new Syrian continues to struggle with the Assadist forces in the west, Syrian Defense Ministry forces shelled and clashed yesterday and today with Hezbollah in eastern Lebanese villages. It’s unclear what exactly led to the sudden escalation. However, Damascus has claimed, and Hezbollah has denied, that Hezbollah militants crossed over into Lebanon, kidnapped three Syrian soldiers, and crossed back into Lebanon. Among those killed in the fighting were an LAF soldier and two children. President Aoun called up the LAF to defend Lebanese territory in response, though Beirut and Damascus quickly reached a ceasefire.

Following a donor drive in Brussels this week, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica announced that regional and Western nations have raised a total of 4.2 billion euros in grants and 1.6 billion euros in loans for the reconstruction of Syria.

Netanyahu announced this past Sunday that he will seek to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar due to “ongoing mistrust” that “has grown over time.” The move comes as the Shin Bet continues investigating the PM and his associates over corruption charges.

The IDF today launched the largest attack on Gaza since the beginning of the ceasefire this past January in an aerial assault that has killed at least 200 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The escalation comes as Israel and Hamas continue to struggle with negotiations for the next phase of the ceasefire and the release of the remaining living hostages. Netanyahu threatened “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.” US envoy Witkoff supported the move, demanding Hamas release the remaining hostages “or pay a severe price.”