Key facts
- Hezbollah has rejected a U.S.-mediated ceasefire plan for Lebanon.
- Israel has threatened to strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks continue.
- An IDF medical officer was killed and seven troops wounded in a Hezbollah drone attack.
- Israel struck the town of Al-Sultaniyah and a car in Toul following the drone attack.
- Oil prices fell as a Hezbollah ceasefire was anticipated.
- Iran has linked a Lebanon ceasefire to a broader U.S. peace deal and Strait of Hormuz shipping.
- Former President Donald Trump confirmed calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'effing crazy'.
- An Israeli strike on a military vehicle in south Lebanon killed three Lebanese military personnel.
- The UN Secretary-General proposed options for a UN presence in Lebanon ranging from 1,980 to 5,525 personnel.
- Hezbollah has reportedly used fiber-optic guided drones to test Israeli air defenses.
Cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah persists, with significant exchanges of fire and diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire facing rejection. Hezbollah has explicitly rejected a U.S.-mediated ceasefire plan, with its leader labeling it a "roadmap for annihilation" and vowing continued resistance as long as Israeli "occupation" continues. This rejection comes despite the Lebanese and Israeli governments reportedly agreeing to the U.S.-backed proposal. Israel, in turn, has threatened to strike "terror targets" in Beirut if Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli cities and civilians do not cease, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informing U.S. President Donald Trump of this stance. Netanyahu also affirmed that IDF operations in southern Lebanon will proceed as planned.
Recent escalations include a Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon that killed an IDF medical officer and wounded seven troops, leading to Israeli strikes on the town of Al-Sultaniyah and a car in Toul. Separately, Israel's military reported intercepting two Hezbollah rockets and striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut's Dahiyeh, marking a return to striking the militant group's stronghold since an April 16 ceasefire. An Israeli strike on a military vehicle in south Lebanon killed three Lebanese military personnel, including two officers, with Israel stating it acted after identifying a threat and indications of Hezbollah preparing to fire. Hezbollah has also reportedly used fiber-optic guided drones to probe Israeli air defenses. The ongoing conflict has led to families on Israel's northern border living under constant threat.
Amidst the escalating tensions, oil prices have seen a decline, with Brent crude falling 1.7% to $93.35 a barrel and WTI crude dropping to $90.65, driven by expectations of a Hezbollah ceasefire acceptance and reduced concerns about Middle East supply disruptions. However, Iran has stipulated that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is a prerequisite for any peace agreement with Washington aimed at resolving the regional war, a demand that also impacts the resumption of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Former President Donald Trump confirmed calling Netanyahu "effing crazy" during a phone call about the Lebanon conflict, expressing perturbation and urging Netanyahu to stop the fighting. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has presented three options for a future uniformed UN presence in Lebanon to the Security Council, with personnel ranging from approximately 1,980 to 5,525, to support a political mission amid the worsening situation. Reports also indicate Israel is encountering significant difficulties in Lebanon, suggesting a challenging operational environment, though specific details are not provided.