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Lebanon Says 47 Killed in Strikes, Israel Reports Deaths of 4 Soldiers

Buildings damaged by Israeli strikes are seen through shattered glass from the Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Buildings damaged by Israeli strikes are seen through shattered glass from the Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Lebanon Says 47 Killed in Strikes, Israel Reports Deaths of 4 Soldiers

Buildings damaged by Israeli strikes are seen through shattered glass from the Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Buildings damaged by Israeli strikes are seen through shattered glass from the Jabal Amel Hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Fighting flared anew in Lebanon on Friday, with authorities reporting 47 killed in Israeli airstrikes and Israel announcing the deaths of four of its soldiers. 

The violence is the worst since the sealing of a US-Iran deal to halt the wider Middle East war, which was supposed to also pause fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Lebanon's official National News Agency also reported a fresh Israeli strike on the area of Jezzine in the south, soon after a US official said on Friday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed a ceasefire. 

An NNA journalist had also reported drones flying over the Tyre area, while an AFP correspondent heard continuous artillery shelling in the southern town of Nabatieh. 

The US official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the truce was brokered by US and Qatari mediators, following talks with Israel and Iran. 

A Gulf diplomat later confirmed the ceasefire was brokered by Qatar, the US and Iran. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not respond to an AFP request to confirm the ceasefire. 

Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said: "Everything related to agreements belongs to the political echelon... We will continue to operate according to the directives". 

An earlier truce meant to have taken effect in April did little to stop attacks from either side. 

- 'Dangerous escalation' - 

Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli airstrikes and bombardments killed at least 47 people -- including seven women and two children -- and wounded 97 others in Lebanon on Friday. 

Video from AFPTV showed hundreds of cars packing roads in the city of Sidon as people attempted to flee southern areas. 

Israel's military reported "more than 150 military strikes in Lebanon since midnight". 

It said earlier it had "struck more than 80 command centres, terrorists, launch positions and additional terrorist infrastructure sites in the area of Nabatieh and additional areas in southern Lebanon". 

"Dozens of Hezbollah terrorists operating in the command centres were eliminated." 

Iran-backed Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it was attacking Israeli forces around Nabatieh. 

Israeli strikes also targeted the Baalbek region in the east of Lebanon, which had been largely spared since the start of the conflict in March. 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Israel's latest attacks "constitute a dangerous escalation". 

Earlier, the Israeli military said Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon had "fallen in combat" along with three other soldiers. 

Israeli military correspondents reported the four were killed when a tank was hit by "a suspected drone or anti-tank missile". 

The military also reported that a reserve officer was severely wounded by a drone attack, with four other soldiers lightly injured. 

- 'Mothers must weep' - 

The deaths of the soldiers drew a furious reaction in Israel. 

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said "Lebanon must burn... For every tear shed by an Israeli mother, 1,000 Lebanese mothers must weep". 

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of wanting "permanent war". 

US officials including President Donald Trump have expressed frustration at Israel's campaign in Lebanon. 

But Netanyahu said Friday that Israeli troops will stay in south Lebanon "as long as necessary". 

Hassan Tarhini, 57, forced to flee the Nabatieh area, told AFP that "we have no problem being displaced once, twice or even 10 times, so long as we return with our heads held high". 

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in early March by attacking Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. 

Israel responded with a massive campaign of airstrikes and a ground invasion. 

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Arab World

Iraq Closes Sheeb Border Crossing with Iran to Check Security

Security personnel stand near the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran, after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, in Basra, Iraq, September 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Security personnel stand near the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran, after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, in Basra, Iraq, September 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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Iraq Closes Sheeb Border Crossing with Iran to Check Security

Security personnel stand near the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran, after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, in Basra, Iraq, September 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Security personnel stand near the Shalamsheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran, after Iraqi authorities ordered its closure as a precautionary measure following the latest drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, in Basra, Iraq, September 12, 2026. (Reuters)

Iraq has closed the busy Sheeb border crossing with Iran to review security and install detection equipment to stop the smuggling of prohibited materials, ‌an Iraqi ‌border official said ‌on ⁠Wednesday.

Sheeb would be ⁠closed to passengers, vehicles and commercial trucks until further notice, two other sources at the crossing said.

Iraq ⁠ordered the closure ‌of ‌another crossing with Iran, Shalamsheh, ‌in September as a ‌precaution after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, two security sources said at ‌the time. Riyadh said the drones had been ⁠launched ⁠from Iraq.

The current security measures at Sheeb are weak and inadequate, the Iraqi border crossings official told Reuters.

Arab World

Arab League Chief Condemns Israeli Attacks on South Lebanon, Urges Action

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy listens to a Lebanese Army officer pointing out areas occupied by Israeli forces in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, South Lebanon, alongside Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed (AP). 
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy listens to a Lebanese Army officer pointing out areas occupied by Israeli forces in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, South Lebanon, alongside Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed (AP). 
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Arab League Chief Condemns Israeli Attacks on South Lebanon, Urges Action

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy listens to a Lebanese Army officer pointing out areas occupied by Israeli forces in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, South Lebanon, alongside Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed (AP). 
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy listens to a Lebanese Army officer pointing out areas occupied by Israeli forces in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, South Lebanon, alongside Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed (AP). 

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy condemned Israeli attacks on South Lebanon as “unacceptable,” calling for concrete Arab action to support the country, strengthen its army and help displaced residents return home.

Fahmy made the remarks during a visit to the southern city of Tyre, where he met senior Lebanese Army officers at the Benoit Barakat barracks, accompanied by Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed.

Fahmy said he had chosen Lebanon as one of his first foreign destinations since taking office to see firsthand the challenges facing its people.

His visit to the south, he explained, was meant to reassure residents that the Arab world and the international community recognized their suffering and were prepared to provide tangible support.

He pointed to a September resolution by the Arab League’s ministerial council that addressed Lebanon’s crisis and its underlying causes, particularly repeated Israeli attacks on civilians and infrastructure.

After touring the town of Zawtar and the city of Nabatieh, Fahmy described the destruction he witnessed as “distressing.”

He accused Israel of systematically demolishing residential areas, seizing land and seeking to displace civilians, potentially paving the way for further occupation.

Despite the devastation, he expressed confidence that Lebanese residents would remain attached to their land.

The Arab League was working with the Lebanese government to explore reconstruction efforts and ways to restore stability, he added.

While rebuilding would require action across several sectors, Fahmy stressed that Arab solidarity could not be limited to statements of condemnation.

“This is the beginning of a sustained process, not the end of the road,” he said, reaffirming the League’s commitment to Lebanon.

Army seeks support, post-UNIFIL arrangements

Brig. Gen. Nicolas Tabet, commander of the Lebanese Army’s South Litani Sector, welcomed the visit as a sign of Arab solidarity at a time of mounting security and humanitarian challenges.

He said Israeli attacks had left widespread destruction and displaced thousands of Lebanese, while continued occupation and security threats prevented families from returning safely to their villages.

The situation was also hampering the army’s deployment to the internationally recognized border.

Tabet called for Arab and international pressure to halt Israeli attacks, secure a full withdrawal from Lebanese territory and uphold the country’s sovereignty.

Despite difficult conditions and limited resources, the army remained committed to its duties, he said, urging the Arab League to mobilize diplomatic support, strengthen the military and help rebuild the south.

He also called for lasting security arrangements after the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends.

Such arrangements, developed with the UN and international partners, would be essential to preventing a security vacuum and implementing Security Council Resolution 1701.

Describing Fahmy’s visit as a rare and welcome gesture, Tabet said it offered reassurance that Lebanon had not been left to face its challenges alone.

Arab World

End of UNIFIL Mission Impacts Hundreds of Jobs in South Lebanon

Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Diodato Abagnara of the Italian Army reviews the troops at the UNIFIL base, near Mansouri, Southern Lebanon, September 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Diodato Abagnara of the Italian Army reviews the troops at the UNIFIL base, near Mansouri, Southern Lebanon, September 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
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End of UNIFIL Mission Impacts Hundreds of Jobs in South Lebanon

Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Diodato Abagnara of the Italian Army reviews the troops at the UNIFIL base, near Mansouri, Southern Lebanon, September 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Diodato Abagnara of the Italian Army reviews the troops at the UNIFIL base, near Mansouri, Southern Lebanon, September 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

As UNIFIL’s mandate in Lebanon draws to a close, the implications of its withdrawal extend beyond military and security operations to the labor market in southern Lebanon, where the mission’s decades-long presence has sustained hundreds of jobs and supported local businesses that depend on its demand for goods and services.

As job cuts begin ahead of the withdrawal process, which is set to gather pace at the end of this year, concerns are mounting over the economic and social impact on employees and their families, as well as on small and medium-sized businesses that depend on spending generated by the international force’s presence.

400 Local Employees Work for UNIFIL

According to UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell, the mission currently employs around 400 local staff, most of whom are based in southern Lebanon, while some positions are based in Beirut.

In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ardell said local employees perform a wide range of duties, from the technical work required to support the mission to security, translation, media, political and civil affairs, among other functions.

Most of these positions are based in the south. Many employees live in the area, while others commute to work from elsewhere, she added.

Ardell denied that job cuts had begun as part of UNIFIL’s force reduction and withdrawal process, explaining that the process was expected to start after Dec. 31, 2026.

Families Depend on UNIFIL Salaries

In the border town of Rmeish, 85 families still have members employed directly by UNIFIL on a permanent basis, earning monthly salaries on which they and their families depend for their livelihoods.

Milad Alam, a former Rmeish mayor, told Asharq Al-Awsat in an earlier interview that around 250 other families also have members working for companies contracted by UNIFIL, adding that they, too, stand to lose their monthly sources of income.

Researcher Mohammad Shamseddine said the number of people employed by or contracted to UNIFIL had fallen significantly, noting that the current workforce was well below the roughly 1,200 employees it had previously numbered.

Annual Losses Estimated at $45 Million to $55 Million

Economist Jassem Ajaka warned that UNIFIL’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon would have economic and financial repercussions extending well beyond the south, affecting the Lebanese economy as a whole. The fallout would include reduced foreign currency inflows, job losses and weaker trade and investment, while placing additional pressure on the state treasury.

In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ajaka said UNIFIL’s annual budget stood at about $553 million, estimating that the withdrawal would result in a direct loss of $45 million to $55 million a year in foreign currency inflows, as international forces cease spending locally on contracts with domestic suppliers, restaurants, shops and supply chains.

Ajaka estimated that UNIFIL’s withdrawal would eliminate $15 million to $22 million in annual wages for Lebanese staff, whose average net annual compensation ranges from $15,000 to $25,000.

He estimated that UNIFIL’s withdrawal would add $25 million to $40 million in annual costs for the Lebanese treasury, as the Lebanese army takes over expenses previously covered through cooperation with the international force, putting further pressure on public finances and potentially widening the primary budget deficit.

The economist concluded saying that the real estate sector would be among the hardest hit, particularly in Naqoura, Tyre, Marjayoun and Bint Jbeil. The termination of hundreds of rental contracts held by UNIFIL’s civilian and military personnel could result in annual losses of $10 million to $18 million. He also warned that commercial and residential property values in affected areas could fall by 25% to 45%.