The IDF reported several airstrikes in Beqaa Valley targeting Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL reported recovering rocket launchers, rocket-propelled grenades, and other unauthorized weapons, likely belonging to Hezbollah, in addition to reporting seven new Israeli infractions of the ceasefire.

Providing a message counter to Hezbollah-supporting residents of Housh al-Sayyid Ali this week, Hezbollah MP MP Hussein al-Hajj Hassan stated that his party “considers that the responsibility for addressing and confronting what happened on the Lebanese-Syrian border falls on the Lebanese state and all its pillars and institutions…The people of the resistance and others are Lebanese who have been attacked, and the state’s responsibility is to defend them and to defend its sovereignty and land.” It comes as Hezbollah seeks a way to navigate its newly precarious political situation after it was severely weakened during Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

Another Hezbollah MP, Ibrahim al-Moussawi, criticized Lebanese FM Rajji, who is allied with the Hezbollah-opposed Lebanese Forces, for his statement accusing “Hezbollah of disavowing the ceasefire agreement with the Israeli enemy.” Al-Moussawi claimed that “Accusing Hezbollah of disavowing the ceasefire is a very dangerous stance that turns against the national principles and the government’s policies and grants the enemy a justification for its attacks and a carte blanche for continuing its crimes.”

Salam announced that the Lebanese Cabinet has voted to approve a mechanism to determine the remaining governmental appointments under the new government, emphasizing that the decisions should be “based on competency and should not be in the service of sects or politicians. The government’s motto is to build a state of law and institutions, and there can be no state without administration; that’s why we are seeking a neutral administration of institutions.”

As Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continue, Hamas’ Health Ministry reported that at least 91 Palestinians were killed over the past day, with dozens more injured. Reports indicate that Hamas has yet to resume fighting with the IDF but may be preparing to do so. However, Hamas announced that it launched rockets at Tel Aviv today in response to what it called “Zionist massacres against civilians” in Gaza. The Israeli Air Defense reported successfully intercepting one projectile while two others landed in open areas. No injuries were reported.

The Yemeni Houthi rebels have also launched another attack on Israel today. The projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli airspace, and no injuries from debris were reported.

The Israeli Cabinet voted today to oust Ronan Bar as head of the Shin Bet intelligence service. Bar was not in attendance at the meeting but sent a letter to his colleagues asserting that the process of his firing was not in compliance with the laws and regulations set by the country. The decision follows Netanyahu's announcement of intending to dismiss Bar last week, citing a loss of trust after investigations into corruption charges against Bar and his associates.

Protests have erupted in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem against the recent major escalation in Gaza. The demonstrators claim that the resurgence of fighting will endanger the remaining hostages. Protestors blocked roads while holding large cutouts of hostages’ faces, scuffles broke out between some of the local residents over the issue, and the police deployed water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.

Top Israeli officials, including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, are scheduled to land in Washington next week for high-level talks surrounding the Iranian nuclear file and efforts to negotiate a border between Israel and Lebanon. Notably absent from the agenda would appear to be the renewed conflict in Gaza.

Protests have escalated in Istanbul for the second consecutive night following the arrest of city mayor Imamoglu, a prominent opposition leader. Many believe his arrest is an attempt by Erdogan to sideline a potential political rival. Thousands protested outside the city hall despite a ban on demonstrations in the city and systematic road closures.