June 22, 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 22, 2026UpdatesNetanyahu says IDF to remain in southern Lebanese buffer zone 'for as long as necessary' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Jerusalem News Syndicate International Policy Summit on Sunday. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Jerusalem News Syndicate International Policy Summit on Sunday. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/ReutersThe Israeli military will remain in the Israeli-controlled buffer zone in southern Lebanon "for as long as necessary," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday. "My instruction and that of the Defense Minister to the IDF is clear and has not changed," Netanyahu said in a recorded statement. "Our fighters in southern Lebanon have full freedom of action to thwart any direct or emerging threat against them or against the residents of the north." "I stand behind them," the prime minister said, adding that "the entire nation stands behind them."The buffer zone currently extends 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) into Lebanese territory, and five IDF divisions are deployed there.Netanyahu's statement follows reports the Lebanese army was preparing to redeploy in positions it had evacuated due to the IDF's advances. 17 minutes agoU.S. temporarily lifts sanctions on Iranian production, delivery and sale of oil amid talks, Treasury Secretary says U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. would grant Iran a 60-day temporary license to produce, deliver and sell Iranian oil, as both countries participate in "ongoing productive talks" in Switzerland. US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent , Wednesday. Credit: Mandel Ngan/Pool via APUS Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent , Wednesday.Credit: Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP"As part of the framework, Treasury has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil," Bessent said.Bessent said the sanctions have been temporarily lifted after "Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into their country." Lebanese media says army returns to evacuated stronghold amid reports of limited IDF withdrawal The Lebanese army is advancing towards the village of Kfar Tebnit in southern Lebanon's Tyre district, the Lebanese Al-Jadeed TV reported Monday. According to Al-Jadded, the Lebanese force is about 300 meters (about 300 yards) away from Israeli military forces in the village. Israeli drones fired several flares at the Lebanese forces, the report said. The Lebanese army evacuated its position in the village last week due to the IDF's advances, Al-Jazeera reported, citing a security source. On Sunday, an Israeli source told Haaretz Israel and Lebanon will negotiate to determine "pilot areas" to be transferred to exclusive Lebanese military control. According to the source, this would require the withdrawal of the Israeli military south of the Yellow Line, the unofficial demarcation of Israeli-held territory in southern Lebanon.The report comes ahead of talks between Israel and Lebanon scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday in Washington under U.S. mediation at the ambassadorial and military levels.Qatari PM: Regional escalation could affect U.S.-Iran talksQatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said any escalation in the region would directly affect ongoing talks between the United States and Iran.Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Switzerland on Sunday. Credit: Urs Flueeler/Pool via APPrime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Switzerland on Sunday.Credit: Urs Flueeler/Pool via APSpeaking to Al Jazeera, Al Thani said it was unacceptable that nearly 100 people had been killed in Lebanon within days during the cease-fire period, and called for an end to Israel's presence in southern Lebanon and respect for Lebanese sovereignty.He said Washington and Tehran have laid the foundations for an agreement and are now working on building it, adding that mechanisms had been established to address issues related to Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.3 hours agoJD Vance says Iran agrees to invite UN nuclear watchdog inspectors back into country Vice President JD Vance speaks to members of the media after the U.S. and Iran held high-level talks at the Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland, Monday. Credit: Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via APVice President JD Vance speaks to members of the media after the U.S. and Iran held high-level talks at the Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland, Monday. Credit: Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via APU.S. Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iran have made "a lot of good progress," adding that Tehran has agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country and that technical negotiations will continue in the coming days and weeks. "We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal," Vance said, adding that inspectors could begin returning "possibly this week, as soon as today."Vance said one objective of the talks was keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. "The strait is open," he said, adding that negotiators also worked on a mechanism to clear mines and prevent violations of a broader regional cease-fire.On Lebanon, Vance said Washington wants to ensure "proper coordination" and described the issue as "a work in progress" that will remain part of ongoing discussions. He said the proposed deconfliction mechanism is intended to ensure that any future Hezbollah attacks and Israeli responses are managed through communication among the parties rather than immediate escalation."We want a regional cease-fire," Vance said, adding that the U.S. wants to ensure both Israel's security and Lebanon's territorial integrity.Vance also said the U.S. is working with Qatar on a mechanism to ensure any unfrozen Iranian assets benefit the Iranian people rather than funding terrorism. He said Washington has remained in close contact with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates throughout the negotiations.Syrian president says country will support Lebanon economically, not militarily, in rebuke of Trump Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Syria remains opposed to any military involvement in Lebanon and is instead seeking to support stability through political and economic cooperation. Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seen in this screengrab from a Sunday interview with Dubai-based Al Mashhad TV. Credit: Al Mashhad/YouTube Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seen in this screengrab from a Sunday interview with Dubai-based Al Mashhad TV. Credit: Al Mashhad/YouTube In an interview with Dubai-based Al Mashhad television on Sunday, al-Sharaa said Damascus had been in contact with U.S. President Donald Trump as part of efforts to help calm the conflict in Lebanon, stressing that Syria's role should be "positive" and aimed at supporting stability."We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones," al-Sharaa said, adding that any solution to the Lebanese crisis should include a cease-fire and political, economic and social measures rather than military action.He warned that any uncalculated intervention in Lebanon could further destabilize the region, describing the conflict's impact on both countries as severe.Al-Sharaa also said he would not rule out dialogue with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia if it served the interests of both Lebanon and Syria. "If it serves Lebanon's interests and protects Syria's interests, why not?" he said.The Syrian leader said Damascus supports strengthening Lebanese state institutions and maintaining Lebanon's sovereignty, while emphasizing that lasting stability requires comprehensive political solutions and regional cooperation.His remarks came after Trump repeatedly suggested Syria could play a role in addressing the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Al-Sharaa said some media interpretations of Trump's comments were inaccurate and insisted any Syrian role would take place through official Lebanese institutions rather than direct military involvement.Relations between Syria and Hezbollah have been shaped by Syria's civil war, during which the Lebanese Shiite militia fought alongside former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's forces. Assad was overthrown in 2024 after more than two decades in power, paving the way for the current Syrian leadership. Since then, Hezbollah's influence inside Syria has declined, although reports have continued to suggest the group maintains networks and activities in parts of the country.3 people killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza, Health Ministry says One Palestinian was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Al-Mawasi in the Gaza Strip, medics said, bringing the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza on Monday to three.According to reports, two missiles were fired at a vehicle, killing a medic and wounding several others.The Gaza Health Ministry said Monday three people were killed and 11 were wounded in the 24 hours before 1 P.M. Earlier Monday, two people, including an 18-year-old girl, were killed in an Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Gaza City, Palestinian media reported. According to reports, Raghad Hussein Ashour, a high school student, was on her way to take exams when she was killed by the strike. Since a cease-fire went into effect in October, 1,024 people have been killed in Gaza and 3,260 have been wounded, according to ministry data.Since the start of the war on Oct. 7, 63,035 people have been killed and 173,368 have been wounded, the Health Ministry said.Senior opposition lawmaker says Israeli troops are being sacrificed in Lebanon to please far-right ministersThe Israeli government is sacrificing its soldiers in southern Lebanon, a senior opposition lawmaker said Monday. Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman speaks to reporters in Jerusalem, June. Credit: Olivier FitoussiYisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman speaks to reporters in Jerusalem, June. Credit: Olivier FitoussiSpeaking on Israel's Army Radio, Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman said troops told him they are being kept in southern Lebanon "to satisfy" far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and that "their hands are tied" because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to placate U.S. President Donald Trump.The emerging U.S.-Iran deal is the "greatest diplomatic disaster" since the establishment of the State of Israel, Lieberman added. He advised members of the government to leave in disgrace, saying, "Any reasonable person would resign, and that would be the end of it.71 vessels transit Strait of Hormuz after blockade ends, ship-tracking data showsSeventy-one vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz from Friday through Sunday, ship-tracking service MarineTraffic said Monday, marking a noticeable increase in traffic since the lifting of the blockade last week.MarineTraffic data visualization showing vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz from Friday through Sunday. MarineTraffic/XCommercial vessels are increasingly transiting the strait with their location transponders activated, a sign of operators' improved confidence, MarineTraffic said.However, traffic through the strait remains below prewar levels, the report said, and many vessels are still using routes designated by Iran or so-called dark routes.Palestinian reports: Two killed in Israeli vehicle strike in Gaza CityTwo people, one of whom was a high school-aged girl, were killed in an Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Gaza City, according to Palestinian reports.Raghad Hussein Ashour, an 18-year-old high school student, was on her way to take electronic exams when she was killed by the strike, according to reports.In the NewsIsrael, the Country We Love, the Country We're Ashamed OfAn Hour After Our Victory Tour in Lebanon, IDF Soldiers Lost Their LivesU.S. VP Vance: Tehran Agreed to Allow UN Nuclear Inspectors Back Into IranAlan Greenspan, Longtime U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman, Dies Aged 100Qatar, Pakistan Announce Lebanon 'Deconfliction Cell', With No Mention of IsraelRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIIsrael Is Conducting a Systematic Campaign of Ethnic Cleansing in the West BankNetanyahu's Mouthpieces Turn on Trump, Revealing a Deeper Israeli IngratitudeWhere Does Andy Burnham Stand on Israel and Palestine?Israel Is Bleeding Support in U.S. and Pouring Tens of Millions to Change ThatReport: Netanyahu 'Likely' to Sabotage Iran Deal, U.S. Officials Tell TrumpTrump's Iran Deal Castrates Netanyahu, but It's Still Catastrophic for Israel