A UNIFIL peacekeeper was wounded today after a mine detonated near the southern Lebanese villages of Zibqine and Yater. The peacekeeper was transported to a hospital in Beirut for surgery.

With the Lebanon-Syria ceasefire from this week still in place, according to Lebanese media, a shell landed outside of Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali following the Syrian withdrawal. The LAF responded by sending in 60 soldiers' vehicles to reinforce their presence in the area. Hezbollah supporters from Lebanese clans raised chants critical of the LAF upon the forces’ arrival to the border area, shouting, “At your service, Nasrallah!” and calling the soldiers agents of Israel. While there, the soldiers recovered two bodies of Lebanese citizens killed by Syrian gunmen and closed four illegal border crossings. The LAF announced their increased presence was “to control security and preserve stability in the border region.” After General Rudolph Haykal briefed President Aoun on the situation, Aoun ordered the LAF to “consolidate the ceasefire, halt the attacks, and control the frontier.”

Syrian state media reported, “Coordination with the Lebanese Army’s liaison officer led to an agreement for both armies to withdraw from Hosh al-Sayyed Ali, ensuring civilians’ return without any military presence inside, with forces stationed on the outskirts,” but threatened that “Any violation by Hezbollah will face a decisive, direct response without prior warning.”

President Aoun met with German FM Annalena Baerbock to discuss the ongoing Israeli presence on five strategic hills in southern Lebanon, where Aoun asserted that their occupation was a hindrance to the implementation of UNSCR 1701.

Israeli bombing of Gaza continues with the largest-scale infraction since the ceasefire came into effect. Hamas’ Health Ministry initially reported the death toll for the past two days to be at 970. However, it later withdrew this number, claiming it was a “technical error,” instead reporting 436. UNOPS confirmed one of those killed was a UN aid worker, with Hamas claiming it was due to the bombing of their headquarters in Gaza. UNOPS also reported that their headquarters had been struck by "explosive ordnance." Five other aid workers were reported to be seriously wounded. British DM Lammy called for an investigation of the headquarters bombing: “Appalled a UN compound in Gaza was hit this morning…This incident must be investigated transparently and those responsible held to account.” The IDF has denied that the site was targeted and announced that it was investigating the death of the aid worker.

Today, the IDF initiated a renewed and limited ground invasion aimed at regaining control of the Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern and southern Gaza. This strategic area has historically been used to control the movement of weapons, individuals, and humanitarian aid. The IDF had previously withdrawn from a substantial part of the corridor during the initial phase of the ceasefire. Israeli DM Katz asserted in a message directed at Hamas, “This is the last warning,” indicating a full resumption of hostilities may occur if its leadership does not agree to proposed changes to the ceasefire, including the matter of the Philadelphi Corridor, which divides Gaza and Egypt.

Israeli politician Ben Gvir spoke on behalf of the Otzma Yehudit party today, saying, “We welcome the return of the State of Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to intense fighting…This is the right, moral, ethical, and most justified step in order to destroy the Hamas terrorist organization and bring back our hostages.” Soon after, Otzma Yehudit and Likud issued a joint statement announcing that the former would be rejoining the government, giving Netanyahu’s coalition a boost following internal strains caused by the ceasefire.

Commenting on the situation in Gaza in a press conference following the meeting, FM Baerbock stated, “The resumption of fighting… jeopardizes the positive efforts of the Arab states, which together want to pursue a peaceful path for Gaza, free from Hamas.”

In reaction to The IDF’s recent escalation in Gaza, the Houthis, who previously suspended such attacks following the negotiation of a ceasefire, announced they would resume the aerial strikes against Israel: “Yemen, its leadership, people, and army will not stand idly by while witnessing all the massacres against our people in Gaza." The Houthis have already claimed an attack today on Ben Gurion Airport with a Palestine-2 missile. Israeli Air Defense shot down the projectile before reaching Israeli airspace. Health officials reported that no one was harmed by debris.

The US executed a renewed round of strikes on infrastructure in Houthi-held Yemen. Trump commented, “Watch how it will get progressively worse — It’s not even a fair fight and never will be. They will be completely annihilated!” He added that “Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies [to Yemen] IMMEDIATELY.”

After Democratic Senator Fetterman was invited to Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem this week, they exchanged gifts. Fetterman offered Netanyahu a news article announcing the construction of a statue for his brother Yoni Netanyahu in Philadelphia, where Netanyahu lived as a teenager. Netanyahu offered Fetterman a silver-plated pager, similar to the gold-plated one given to Trump, in reference to the pager and walkie-talkie explosions Israeli intelligence undertook immediately prior to ground operations in Lebanon.