June 04, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJune 04, 2026UpdatesIsraeli soldier killed in southern Lebanon anti-tank missile strike, IDF saysAn Israeli soldier was killed by an anti-tank missile in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said Thursday. Captain Eitan Shmuel Lemberg. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitCaptain Eitan Shmuel Lemberg.Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitAccording to the IDF, 21-year-old Eitan Shmuel Lemberg was a commander in the Armored Corps. 35 minutes agoRubio condemns Iran airport strike, reaffirms U.S. security pledge in talks with Kuwaiti FMU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Iran's strike on Kuwait International Airport and said the United States was committed to Kuwait's security in a meeting Thursday with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al Sabah. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, meets Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in the Treaty Room at the State Department, Thursday. Credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, meets Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in the Treaty Room at the State Department, Thursday. Credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Rubio also reiterated the American commitment to preventing the Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons and the restoration of free transit through the Strait of Hormuz. "We stand with the Kuwaiti people during this difficult time," a spokesman for Rubio said. On Wednesday, Kuwaiti authorities said an Iranian attack killed one person and wounded several others, as well as severely damaged Kuwait International Airport. Flights were also temporarily suspended for several hours.Israeli settlers raid West Bank village, lightly wound Border Police officerA Border Police officer was lightly wounded Thursday as Israeli forces responded to reports that about 30 masked Israeli settlers were moving among Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Kusra, a security source said.According to the source, the settlers fled the scene toward the Shilo settlement bloc.Unlike in previous instances, Palestinian residents were allowed to return to their homes after the settlers had occupied them.A settler-linked news outlet published an angry statement, heightening tensions in the region. Following estimates that the settlers might return to raid the village after nightfall, a security source said preparations were underway.According to local reports, forces were deployed in large numbers and were actively searching for the Israeli settlers in Kusra.Israel to open embassy in Slovenia, Foreign Ministry saysIsrael will open its first-ever embassy in Ljubljana, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on Thursday.Sa'ar said the election of Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša marks "a new chapter" in relations between the two countries after years of tensions under Slovenia's previous government."An Israeli embassy is more than a diplomatic mission. It is a statement of friendship, dialogue, and a shared belief in freedom, democracy, and security," Sa'ar wrote on X, adding that Israel sees an opportunity to "rebuild, strengthen, and deepen" ties with Slovenia.Hezbollah agrees to hold fire 'if Israel stops', Lebanese source says Hezbollah appears to have agreed to a cease-fire in Lebanon, though the details of the agreement remain unclear, a Lebanese source not involved in talks but briefed on the matter by senior Lebanese officials told Haaretz Thursday. State Department Chief of Staff Daniel Holler speaks at a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese delegations hosted by the United States at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wedneday Credit: Nathan Howard/ReutersState Department Chief of Staff Daniel Holler speaks at a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese delegations hosted by the United States at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wedneday Credit: Nathan Howard/Reuters"They more or less agreed to stop if Israel stops," the source said, describing the situation as a "chicken-and-egg situation."The source said there is concern in Lebanon that any cease-fire may not hold, citing what he described as Israel's fragile political situation and upcoming 2026 elections. The source also pointed to the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump could become distracted by other events in the coming months."Although the Lebanese government is the one that proposed these talks, and Israel only agreed to them after Lebanon was not initially included in the cease-fire signed between the U.S. and Iran, the government in Lebanon feels it has very few cards to play and no allies," the source said.Earlier Thursday, an Israeli source, citing Lebanese representatives, told Haaretz that Hezbollah reportedly agreed to the cease-fire terms during security track talks in Washington. However, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected the idea of a cease-fire in Lebanon in remarks Thursday. In a letter to his followers, Qassem urged Lebanese officials to "end the farce" of direct negotiations.10 Lebanese killed, 59 wounded over 24 hours, health ministry data shows According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, 10 people were killed and 59 people were wounded in the 24 hours ending at 2:00 P.M. An ambulance near a parking lot outside the Jabal Amel Hospital, which was damaged in an Israeli strike on Monday, in Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday. Credit: Aziz Taher/ReutersAn ambulance near a parking lot outside the Jabal Amel Hospital, which was damaged in an Israeli strike on Monday, in Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday. Credit: Aziz Taher/ReutersAccording to a ministry tally, 3,526 people were killed and 10,733 were wounded since the start of hostilities in Lebanon on March 2.Netanyahu selects Katz aide as military secretary as Gofman takes Mossad postPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed a new military secretary to replace Roman Gofman, who began serving Tuesday as Mossad chief, the Prime Minister's office said Thursday.Brig. Gen. Guy Markizano. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit Brig. Gen. Guy Markizano.Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit Brig. Gen. Guy Markizano, who currently serves as military secretary to Defense Minister Israel Katz, will assume the role immediately, without a transition period, the statement said."Markizano has gained extensive experience coordinating between the political echelon and the military echelon," the PMO said.On Wednesday, Channel 12 News reported that Sara Netanyahu participated in Markizano's interview process. According to the report, Netanyahu spoke with him without the presence of her husband while he was meeting the prime minister's chief of staff, Ido Norden.Lebanese PM defends cease-fire agreement as 'fastest and least costly path' for LebanonLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday said his government's negotiations with Israel were the "fastest and least costly path" for Lebanon, after the talks produced a new cease-fire initiative that was later rejected by Hezbollah. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris, France, April. Credit: Ludovic Marin/ReutersLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Paris, France, April.Credit: Ludovic Marin/ReutersThe Lebanese-Israeli negotiations led overnight to a U.S.-backed agreement aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, paving the way for the militant group's disarmament.In a statement released by his office, Salam said the negotiations represented the best option available for the people of Lebanon."We could have stood by in the face of a reality and a war that we did not choose, but that was never an option for a single moment," he said, describing the talks as difficult and the Israeli position as "tough."Under the agreement announced in Washington on Wednesday, Hezbollah militants would be disarmed.Salam said the principle of a state monopoly on arms had already been established after the country's civil war ended in the early 1990s and that Lebanon should not miss another opportunity to enforce it.As a next step, he announced the gradual deployment of the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon, warning that any delay would come at the expense of the region and its residents. Machinery operates as the Lebanese army opens a road, past buildings destroyed during the Israeli military campaign, in Dibbin, southern Lebanon, Thursday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersMachinery operates as the Lebanese army opens a road, past buildings destroyed during the Israeli military campaign, in Dibbin, southern Lebanon, Thursday. Credit: Stringer/ReutersThe Lebanese army said it began removing earth barriers erected by the Israeli military on a central southern Lebanese roadway connecting Dibbin to Marjayoun. The move followed the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area, according to the statement.The army also said it is gradually deploying forces in the area in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the cease-fire monitoring mechanism.According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, 10 people were killed and 59 people were wounded in the 24 hours ending at 2:00 P.M. According to a ministry tally, 3,526 people were killed and 10,733 were wounded since the start of hostilities in Lebanon on March 2. DPA contributed to this report. Hezbollah agreed to cease-fire terms, Israeli source says, citing Lebanese representativesHezbollah reportedly agreed to the terms of the cease-fire in Lebanon during security track talks in Washington, an Israeli source said, citing Lebanese representatives to the talks. The source's comments followed Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's Thursday remarks rejecting the cease-fire in Lebanon. In a letter to his followers, Qassem urged Lebanese officials to "end the farce" of direct negotiations.IAEA report calls on Iran to fully cooperate, let inspections resume⁠The ‌U.N. nuclear watchdog sent ‌a report to member ⁠states on Thursday ⁠repeating its calls on Iran to urgently inform the agency of the fate ‌of its enriched uranium ‌since its atomic sites were bombed a year ago and let inspections resume fully."The (International Atomic Energy Agency) Director General has emphasized ⁠to Iran that it is indispensable and ‌urgent ⁠to implement effectively the ‌NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) Safeguards Agreement ... and that its implementation ⁠cannot be suspended by Iran under any circumstances," the confidential report ‌seen by Reuters said.5 hours agoIsrael does not intend to withdraw south of Litani, source says The Litani River as it flows through the village of Saghbin, Bekaa valley, eastern Lebanon, 2021. Credit: Hassan Ammar/APThe Litani River as it flows through the village of Saghbin, Bekaa valley, eastern Lebanon, 2021. Credit: Hassan Ammar/APIsrael does not intend to withdraw from areas south of Lebanon's Litani River, an Israeli source told Haaretz Thursday. According to the source, Israel agreed not to carry out offensive actions against Hezbollah, including the demolition of homes, in exchange for Hezbollah ceasing offensive actions against Israeli forces. The source said "quiet would be met with quiet," adding that Israeli forces will respond significantly to any threat.The source also said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not intervene in the talks, denying a statement by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun."[Rubio] testified in a congressional hearing and wasn't around at all," the source said. According to the source, Michael Needham – who led the previous round of talks and has since been promoted to deputy national security adviser and adviser to the president – "came when needed."Israel has continued to strike southern Lebanon, with strikes reported in the Tyre and Nabatieh districts. According to Lebanon's National News Agency, four agricultural workers were injured in the strikes. A large explosion was heard in the municipality of Arnoun, around 8 kilometers (about 4.5 miles) north of the Israeli border, the NNA reported. The Israeli military said several suspicious aerial targets impacted near soldiers operating in southern Lebanon. The IDF said sirens sounded in northern Israel following attempts to intercept the targets.In the NewsNetanyahu Appoints New Military Secretary After Former Aide Named Mossad ChiefPalestinians in West Bank, Jerusalem Spend Eid Demolishing Their Own HomesJewish Violence Against Palestinians and Jews Alike Exposes Israel's UnravelingFrom Celebration to Protest – Jerusalem Pride March Turns Focus to ElectionsFar-right MK Tzvi Succot Attempts to Break Into Arab School With Disc SawRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIFar-right Israeli Ministers Join Thousands at Israel Day Parade in New YorkWho Built the Biblical-era Fortresses in the Deserts of Israel and Jordan?UN Report Accuses Israeli Forces of Rape, Sexual Abuse of Palestinian DetaineesIsrael's Solution to the Gaza Problem Is Well Underway'Fucking Crazy': Trump Lashes Out at Netanyahu Over Lebanon, Report Says'Israel Is Unstoppable, We Need Other Countries to Get Us Out of This'