International
Israel resumes attacks on Hezbollah’s strongholds south, north of Litani River
Israel resumes attacks on Hezbollah’s strongholds south, north of Litani River
BEIRUT: The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes on Thursday evening targeting areas south and north of the Litani River, after issuing urgent warnings for residents to stay away from six designated locations.
This tactic mirrors the approach followed during the Israeli war on Hezbollah that began in October 2023 and which ended with a ceasefire agreement that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024.
The airstrikes hit sites around the town of Dibbin and three locations in Mays Al-Jabal, with initial reports indicating that a Syrian national was injured in the raids. A house in Kfar Tibnit was also targeted.
A second wave of raids struck areas in the Tyre district, specifically Burj Qalaya and Al-Shahabiya.
“The timing of the attacks is striking, as it coincides with Hezbollah’s preparations to commemorate the first anniversary of the assassinations of its two Secretary-Generals Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine,” a Lebanese security source told Arab News. “This is an attempt to remind the party that Israel continues to pursue it.”
The source expected Israeli attacks to escalate until the first anniversary of Nasrallah’s death on Sept. 27.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam was informed of the Israeli threats and subsequently of the attacks during a Cabinet session, and said: “The Lebanese government’s position is commitment to the cessation of hostilities and the government’s engagement in the mechanism’s meetings.”
Salam said during the session: “The legitimate question today is: Where is Israel’s commitment to these mechanisms?
“How can it be possible to continue to practice intimidation and attacks while these meetings are supposed to ensure the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities?”
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The Cabinet called on the international community — especially the signatories of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement — to apply maximum pressure on Israel to immediately halt its attacks and return to diplomatic negotiations. Under the terms of the mechanism and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, Israel committed to several obligations, including withdrawing from the Lebanese territories it still occupies, ceasing all attacks, and releasing prisoners.
The Israeli military confirmed the attacks on Lebanon in a statement, claiming that it struck “military targets belonging to Hezbollah.”
Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed in a video posted on social media that the attacks were “in response to Hezbollah’s prohibited attempts to rebuild its activities in the area.”
Adraee addressed the residents of the targeted areas before the strikes, saying: “You are located in buildings used by the terrorist Hezbollah. For your own safety, you are obliged to evacuate these buildings and adjacent buildings immediately and move at least 500 meters away from them. Remaining in these buildings exposes you to danger.”
The Kfar Tibnit-Nabatieh Al-Fawqa road experienced heavy traffic toward the city of Nabatieh and neighboring towns due to the displacement of threatened residents. The road leading to Kfar Tibnit was closed for public safety.
The Israeli military also targeted the Baalbek area on Wednesday night with airstrikes that killed Hussein Saifo Sharif and wounded several other people. The Israeli army claimed that Sharif was “a major arms dealer and supplier operating from Lebanon to direct cells inside Syria planning to carry out plots against Israel.” It added: “His activities constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.”
The Lebanese Army Command said it had recorded “more than 4,500 violations of Lebanese sovereignty by land, air, and sea since the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement came into effect … including the launching of Molotov cocktails and the bombing of homes.”
It explained that Thursday’s attacks “on southern villages and civilians in populated areas resulted in deaths and injuries,” and warned that “these attacks and violations hinder the army’s deployment in the south, and their continuation will hinder the implementation of its plan, starting from the area south of the Litani River.”
It added: “The Army Command is monitoring these violations in coordination with the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Committee and UNIFIL forces.”
The body revealed that, as part of “monitoring engineering survey operations in the southern regions, a specialized military unit found and dismantled a camouflaged spy device that the Israeli enemy had placed in the Labbouneh-Tyre area.”
Israel resumes attacks on Hezbollah’s strongholds south, north of Litani River
ARAB NEWS
International
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.
The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.
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Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.
He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.
The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.
Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.
The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.
Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.
The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
International
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
A man in the United States has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of a couple and their 1-year-old son in Reading, Pennsylvania.
The convict, identified as Jose Luis Rodriguez, admitted to three counts of first-degree murder, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the case began on September 13, 2025, when 31-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon was found shot dead. Days later, authorities discovered that his wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, and their infant son, Jeyden Peguero, were missing, triggering a wider investigation.
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A week after the discovery of Cabrera-Colon’s body, police located the bodies of the missing mother and child in a wooded area. Prosecutors revealed that the toddler was found “partially submerged in a marshy area,” a detail that shocked investigators and the local community.
During court proceedings, prosecutors said Rodriguez confessed to killing all three victims. He allegedly picked up Peguero-Mancebo and her son, shot the woman, drowned the child, and later killed Cabrera-Colon.
The prosecution described the killings as premeditated and deliberate, stating that each act was carried out with intent and malice.
According to court records and reports by local media, Rodriguez claimed he had a personal relationship with Peguero-Mancebo and referenced financial disputes as a possible motive behind the killings.
The sentencing judge handed down three consecutive life sentences without parole, effectively ensuring Rodriguez will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Family members of the victims described the outcome as painful but necessary for closure, with relatives expressing gratitude that the case has reached a conclusion after months of emotional distress.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Pennsylvania due to its violent nature and the involvement of a young child, with prosecutors calling it one of the most disturbing family-related homicide cases in the region in recent years.
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
International
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, has been charged in connection with the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, in a case that prosecutors have described as one of the most serious and disturbing in recent years.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, confirmed that the 21-year-old faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of human remains.
According to investigators, the teenager was last seen on April 23, 2025, after visiting Burke at his residence in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. She was reported missing shortly after she failed to return home.
Months later, on September 8, 2025, authorities made a gruesome discovery when her decomposed and dismembered remains were found inside the front trunk of a Tesla vehicle linked to the singer. Police reportedly traced the vehicle after receiving complaints about a strong odour, leading to the recovery of body parts stored in a cadaver bag.
Prosecutors say the case includes several special circumstance allegations, such as murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. They also allege that Burke used a sharp instrument to carry out the killing.
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“This is a parent’s nightmare,” Hochman said during a press briefing, describing the case as “brutal and horrific.” He added that the charges represent the most severe offences his office can prosecute.
Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that authorities remain committed to ensuring justice for the victim and her family.
Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, and is currently being held without bail. He is expected to be arraigned at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
If convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, although prosecutors have yet to decide whether capital punishment will be pursued.
The singer’s legal team, led by Blair Berk, alongside Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, has denied all allegations. In a statement, they said evidence will show that Burke “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.”
The case has already had major consequences for Burke’s career. He cancelled his planned “D4VD Withered” world tour and was dropped from brand partnerships with Hollister Co. and Crocs.
D4vd rose to prominence in 2022 with his hit Here With Me and later released Romantic Homicide, a track whose title he previously described as metaphorical rather than literal.
The case remains ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
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