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Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire as US pushes broader deal
A fragile but significant pause in hostilities between Israel and Lebanon takes effect Thursday after diplomatic pressure from Washington secured a 10-day ceasefire. The deal, brokered through direct conversations between Trump, Netanyahu, and Lebanese President Aoun, signals a potential opening for a broader regional settlement. The timing is notable, as reduced tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese front could help stabilize Washington's precarious diplomatic balance with Iran.
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‘Sent to be killed’: How Russia forces migrants to fight in Ukraine
Russia has been funneling Central Asian migrants into frontline combat roles in Ukraine, where life expectancy stretches to a mere four months. The practice exposes a brutal calculus: expendable foreign fighters absorb casualties while Russian casualty figures stay obscured. For migrants lured by promises of money or legal status, the recruitment pipeline amounts to a death sentence.
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Trump says Israel and Lebanon to hold talks Thursday
Israel and Lebanon are set to hold direct talks Thursday, marking a historic diplomatic moment following a high-level Washington meeting Tuesday — the first face-to-face negotiation between the two nations in over three decades. Trump announced the development on Truth Social, framing it as an effort to ease tensions between the longtime adversaries. The last comparable engagement dates back to 1993, underscoring the significance of the renewed contact.
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Israel bombs homes in southern Lebanon
Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on residential buildings in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, marking another escalation along the volatile border region. The strikes signal continued Israeli military pressure in an area long associated with Hezbollah activity. The attacks raise fresh concerns about civilian casualties and the prospect of broader regional conflict.
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Trump says Israel and Lebanon’s leaders will speak on Thursday
A historic diplomatic call is set for Thursday as the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak directly for the first time in 34 years, brokered by President Trump. The conversation marks a significant shift in relations between the two countries, which have long been defined by conflict and hostility. If productive, the call could signal a new opening for broader stability efforts in the region.
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