Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naeem Qassem stated that the organization will retain its weapons to prevent Israeli aggression and potential 'genocide' in Lebanon. Qassem accused the United States of not being an impartial mediator in potential Lebanese government talks with Israel, claiming such discussions would only serve the 'Zionist regime's' interests. He asserted that Hezbollah will not disarm until the Lebanese government is fully independent and capable.

At least 19 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese Ministry of Health reporting 10 deaths in a single attack on a house in Deir Kanoun. This escalation follows a recent agreement to extend a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel for 45 days, with negotiations scheduled to resume in early June. Despite the ceasefire, exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah continue.