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Lebanon Reports Israeli Strikes as Hezbollah Claims Attacks Against Troops in South

Workers clean the debris following Israeli airstrikes that hit the previous day, near the archaeological site of the Roman hippodrome in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on June 8, 2026. (AFP)
Workers clean the debris following Israeli airstrikes that hit the previous day, near the archaeological site of the Roman hippodrome in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on June 8, 2026. (AFP)
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Lebanon Reports Israeli Strikes as Hezbollah Claims Attacks Against Troops in South

Workers clean the debris following Israeli airstrikes that hit the previous day, near the archaeological site of the Roman hippodrome in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on June 8, 2026. (AFP)
Workers clean the debris following Israeli airstrikes that hit the previous day, near the archaeological site of the Roman hippodrome in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on June 8, 2026. (AFP)

An Israeli strike hit a vehicle in the city of Tyre, south Lebanon on Monday, Lebanese state media reported, as Israel vowed to press attacks on Hezbollah despite Iranian warnings.

Hezbollah meanwhile said it targeted Israeli troops in Lebanon, but did not claim any attacks on Israeli territory.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that "an enemy airstrike targeted a car with a missile in the city of Tyre, near the Lebanese Red Cross building".

An AFP photographer in Tyre saw flames erupting from a car on a coastal road as residents gathered at the scene and an ambulance and paramedics headed towards it.

Reporting airstrikes from the early morning, the NNA said Israeli raids hit more than a dozen locations in the south, including Burj al-Shemali near Tyre.

A Lebanese culture ministry official said Israeli bombardment on the city a day earlier damaged a UNESCO World Heritage site there, and AFP correspondents saw dust and debris at the site.

The NNA said some of Monday's strikes caused casualties, though Lebanon's health ministry has not yet released any tolls.

Iran's military command on Monday afternoon said it was halting its operation against Israel after the two sides exchanged fire for the first time since a truce in the Middle East war took effect in April.

Iran had delivered a "painful response" to Israel and "accordingly, the cessation of armed forces operations is hereby announced", the Khatam al-Anbiya central command said in a statement carried by state television.

"However, it is emphasized that should acts of aggression and hostility continue, including in southern Lebanon, much more severe and crushing measures than before will follow," it added.

But Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later vowed that the military would "continue to operate in Lebanon against the terrorist organization Hezbollah".

He added that Israel would strike Beirut's southern suburbs in retaliation for every attack on northern Israel.

"We categorically reject Iran's threats. Any Iranian attempt to link Lebanon and Iran and attack Israel will be met with great force, as happened yesterday," Katz said.

Iran insists a halt to the broader Middle East conflict must include a ceasefire in Lebanon, and on Sunday fired missiles at Israel in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs earlier in the day.

On Monday, Hezbollah claimed a series of attacks on Israeli troops who have invaded south Lebanon.

Israel's military intercepted three projectiles fired from Lebanon, an AFP correspondent near the border reported, as Israel's military said the munitions had targeted its forces operating in Lebanon's south.

Lebanon says Israeli strikes have killed more than 3,600 people since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East conflict on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel to avenge the US-Israeli killing of Iran's supreme leader.

After an April 17 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah began, Israel announced a so-called Yellow Line inside Lebanese territory about a dozen kilometers from its northern border where its ground troops are operating.

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Arab World

Israeli Forces Shoot Dead Palestinian Man in West Bank Raid

The wife of 58-year-old Fathi Khazem, who was killed by the Israeli military as they tried to arrest him, stands at the bedroom door near a pool of his blood at their home in the northern city of Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank on August 21, 2026. (AFP)
The wife of 58-year-old Fathi Khazem, who was killed by the Israeli military as they tried to arrest him, stands at the bedroom door near a pool of his blood at their home in the northern city of Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank on August 21, 2026. (AFP)
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Israeli Forces Shoot Dead Palestinian Man in West Bank Raid

The wife of 58-year-old Fathi Khazem, who was killed by the Israeli military as they tried to arrest him, stands at the bedroom door near a pool of his blood at their home in the northern city of Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank on August 21, 2026. (AFP)
The wife of 58-year-old Fathi Khazem, who was killed by the Israeli military as they tried to arrest him, stands at the bedroom door near a pool of his blood at their home in the northern city of Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank on August 21, 2026. (AFP)

Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian man on Friday in the city of Jenin, in the north of the occupied West Bank, with the military saying he had attempted to stab a soldier.

Fathi Zidan Hazem, 58, "died from injuries sustained after being shot by Israeli forces early Friday in the city of Jenin," the Palestinian health ministry said in a statement, adding that his body was being withheld by Israel.

The Israeli military said a "terrorist armed with a knife attempted to stab an Israeli soldier" while troops were operating in the area of Jenin.

"The soldiers responded by firing toward the terrorist and eliminating him," it said, adding no injuries were reported among troops.

Hazem was a retired colonel in the Palestinian National Security Forces.

In April 2022, after his son, Raad Hazem, carried out a shooting spree in Tel Aviv in which he killed three Israelis and wounded several others, Israeli authorities demanded that Fathi Hazem hand himself in.

His son was shot dead by Israeli forces after a massive manhunt.

A second son, Abdul Rahman Hazem, was killed during an Israeli military raid targeting alleged militants in the Jenin refugee camp in September 2022.

AFP footage from the scene on Friday showed a pool of blood and bullets scattered among groceries in the family's home.

A Palestinian eyewitness, who declined to give her name to AFP, said Israeli forces raided her neighbor's house in the early hours and told Hazem to raise his hands, which he refused to do.

"He then attacked them with a knife, and they shot him seven times in front of his 10-year-old son. They dragged him down the stairs and took him with them," she said.

Violence in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has surged since the Gaza war began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Since then, at least 1,098 Palestinians, including fighters, have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers, according to Palestinian figures.

Official Israeli data shows that at least 48 Israelis, both civilians and security personnel, have been killed in attacks by Palestinians or during Israeli military operations.

Arab World

Ben-Gvir Publishes Video of 'Gallows Site for Hanging Palestinians'

Ben-Gvir publishes video of «site designated for hanging Palestinians» (X)
Ben-Gvir publishes video of «site designated for hanging Palestinians» (X)
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Ben-Gvir Publishes Video of 'Gallows Site for Hanging Palestinians'

Ben-Gvir publishes video of «site designated for hanging Palestinians» (X)
Ben-Gvir publishes video of «site designated for hanging Palestinians» (X)

Far-right Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir published a video in which he boasts about the construction of a site where Palestinians convicted of "terror" offences will be executed by hanging – without including Jewish extremists accused of similar crimes.

According to the British newspaper The Guardian, Ben-Gvir, who has previously attracted international sanctions and condemnation for his activities, said the new execution site would be equipped with viewing booths for families of victims to watch the hangings.

Ben Gvir published the video on social media of a visit he made to the site (whose location was not disclosed) while photos published by Israeli media showed a bulldozer and construction work, said to be near a prison. The extremist minister was seen pointing to the foundation work, boasting that this is where "terrorists will be executed", as he described it.

The newspaper noted that Ben Gvir earlier this year celebrated his 50th birthday in a noose-themed cake.

“I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons – we kept it,” said Ben-Gvir in the video. “I promised to pass the Death Penalty for Terrorists law – we did. And now the death row and hanging facility are also starting to take shape.”

The Guardian stated that reports about the construction of gallows – which will be used to execute Palestinians convicted of «terror» crimes in military courts only, not Jewish extremists – come after a new law was passed earlier this year.

The law obliges military courts to impose the death penalty as the only available punishment, unless the court finds special circumstances justifying a life sentence. Practically, Jewish Israelis are protected from the death penalty under a clause that limits the law's application to murders committed “with the intent to deny the existence of the State of Israel”.

It noted that Ben Gvir – who was previously convicted of incitement to racism, obstructing a police officer in the line of duty, and supporting the banned terrorist movement “Kach” – has served as Israel's National Security Minister since 2022, with the exception of a two-month hiatus last year.

Ben Gvir is considered one of the main drivers of Israel's new death penalty law and has a long history of extremist statements and provocative actions.

The death penalty law – one of two laws passed by Israeli lawmakers this year – has drawn widespread international condemnation since its approval in the Knesset by a majority of 62 votes to 48, due to criticism suggesting it is “discriminatory”.

Commenting on the law's approval, Erika Guevara-Rosas, a senior director at Amnesty International, said: “It also dismantles fundamental safeguards to prevent the arbitrary deprivation of life and protect the right to a fair trial, and further empowers Israel’s system of apartheid, which is maintained by scores of discriminatory laws against Palestinians,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, a senior director at Amnesty International, when the law was passed”.

In recent months, Ben Gvir has been sanctioned by France and Ireland, in addition to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom last year. He also faced widespread criticism just a few days ago for calling for a policy of punitive killing in Gaza, at a rate of 30 to 40 people per night.

Ben Gvir said: “I think we should be doing 30 to 40 targeted assassinations per night ...There are people there who don’t deserve to live ... They are not even people”.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Wednesday described Ben Gvir's statements as «unacceptable and inhumane,» while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed strong condemnation of «Minister Ben Gvir's inhumane calls, which violate international law”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also described Ben Gvir's statements as “appalling”, “outrageous”, “dehumanizing” and “dangerous”.

The video emerged amid growing wider international condemnation of Israel’s behavior, including the issuing of new tenders for the massive E1 settlement block outside Jerusalem, which was denounced by the UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, as an “unacceptable and destructive act” that risked separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem. He summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires in protest.

“The UK has been clear privately and publicly in our opposition to E1 and our support for a two-state solution as the only way to ensure long-term security and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis,” Miliband said. “All settlements damage that prospect and are a flagrant breach of international law.”

 

Arab World

Türkiye Denies Military Presence at Abu al-Duhur Airbase Before or During Israeli Strike

A satellite image shows craters on the runways of the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Syria's Aleppo after an Israeli attack, August 19, 2026. (Pleiades Neo © Airbus DS 2026/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows craters on the runways of the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Syria's Aleppo after an Israeli attack, August 19, 2026. (Pleiades Neo © Airbus DS 2026/Handout via Reuters)
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Türkiye Denies Military Presence at Abu al-Duhur Airbase Before or During Israeli Strike

A satellite image shows craters on the runways of the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Syria's Aleppo after an Israeli attack, August 19, 2026. (Pleiades Neo © Airbus DS 2026/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows craters on the runways of the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Syria's Aleppo after an Israeli attack, August 19, 2026. (Pleiades Neo © Airbus DS 2026/Handout via Reuters)

Türkiye has reaffirmed its support for Syria’s efforts to develop its military capabilities and infrastructure and preserve its unity and sovereignty, while denying that any Turkish delegation was present at the Abu al-Duhur military airbase before or during Tuesday’s Israeli strike.

A Turkish Defense Ministry official described the attack as an attempt to destabilize Syria, undermine its security, unity and territorial integrity, and damage its infrastructure.

Speaking at the ministry’s weekly briefing Thursday, the official said any attack violating Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity was unacceptable, stressing that no Turkish military delegation had been at the base before or during the strike.

The official urged Israel to halt such “reckless” attacks and abide by international law, adding that Türkiye would continue to support Syria in building its military capabilities and infrastructure under the principle of “one state, one army.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said after the strike that Israel had warned Syria against allowing a Turkish presence at Abu al-Duhur.

“Our message was very clear: Don’t do it,” it said, adding that Damascus had ignored the warning.

The Turkish presidency rejected the allegations as “baseless,” accusing Netanyahu of promoting them ahead of Israel’s October elections and calling on the international community to curb Israeli actions threatening regional peace and stability.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani told Axios that Damascus had previously informed Israel there were no plans to establish a Turkish military base at Abu al-Duhur, which was being rehabilitated for use by the Syrian Air Force.

Al-Shaibani said Turkish military personnel had previously visited the airbase as part of broader training and military cooperation, but denied any Turkish buildup there. The facility was largely empty and work had not yet begun, he added.

There was no intention to establish a Turkish base, permanent Turkish military presence or deploy Turkish troops there, al-Shaibani underlined, saying Israel had no legitimate justification for bombing the facility.

He stressed that Syria remained open to negotiations with Israel on de-escalation, provided any agreement addressed both sides’ security concerns and respected Syrian sovereignty.

Türkiye-Israel relations have grown increasingly strained since Israel’s 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara, part of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla. US mediation later helped repair ties, culminating in a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Netanyahu in New York on September 19, 2023.

Relations deteriorated sharply after the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023. Ankara has accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and suspended trade.

The rivalry intensified in Syria after Bashar al-Assad’s fall in December 2024 and Türkiye strengthened political, economic, defense and security ties with President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government.

Israel, concerned about Türkiye’s military presence in Syria, previously struck the Hama military airport, claiming Ankara planned Turkish air and ground bases at Palmyra, the T4 military airbase in Homs province and the Menagh military airbase in the Aleppo province.