NEW - Lebanon’s contingency planning for expanded conflict with Israel has two scenarios, according to a document seen by Reuters ⬇️ Worst-case scenario of full-blown war would displace 1 million, need $100 million in aid per month. But aid is already falling short… 🧵

EARTHQUAKE FELT IN BEIRUT

Hamas made it clear to the mediators that its representatives would not participate in the talks on Thursday, but said they would be willing to meet with the mediators afterwards to get an update and see if Israel presented a serious and practical proposal for a deal, per source

With Hamas staying out of new round of talks, Iranian threats looming and Israel holding firm, prospects for a truce shift from uncertain to unlikely. My latest for Al Arabiya English with thanks to Dr. Ali BAKIR (علي باكير) & Arman Mahmoudian english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-ea…

Gaza cease-fire talks to take place in Doha tomorrow with CIA's Burns, Egyptian intel chief Kamel, Israeli Mossad chief Barnea and Qatari PM Al-Thani, per source briefed on the talks.

#Hezbollah broadcasts a new video - another message to #Israel

UPDATE • Gaza talks wrap w ‘bridging proposal’ • Set to resume next week • Qatar FM 📞 Iran • Egypt FM in Lebanon • Hezbollah video of tunnel network • Blinken ✈️ to region Sunday, will meet Bibi (Israeli media) • France & UK FM in Israel al-monitor.com/originals/2024…

A laughable charade. 1. The US presents an Israeli ceasefire initiative as its own and rams it through the UN Security Council. 2. Contrary to US-Israeli expectations Hamas accepts the initiative. 3. Israel responds by rejecting adding new conditions to its own initiative,

7/10: Cautiously optimistic on Gaza ceasefire deal, per John Kirby 7/19: Talks inside 10-yard line, per Blinken 7/24: In closing stages, per SAO 8/7: As close as it’s ever been, per Kirby 8/17: Closer than ever before, per Biden 8/20: Deal on brink of collapsing, per US officials

Israel hits Hezbollah sites in Bekaa deep inside country; Hezbollah responds hitting "military base" in Katzrin, 18 km from border(deep inside occupied Golan) several rockets landed in city; damaging homes -Israel army says Hezbollah indiscriminately firing projectiles

UPDATE • Nasrallah: Hezbollah acted alone • Iran retaliation to come later • Says drones hit Israel mil, intel sites • Fired 320 🚀to overwhelm iron dome • Acknowledges Israel preemptive strike • Reuters: Israel, Hezbollah exchange msgs that neither seeks more escalation

The #Paralympics start today and Arz Zahreddine is Lebanon’s only representative🇱🇧 Arz got his right leg amputated when he was a 3-year-old kid due to a car accident in Chekka tunnel back in 2002 (his brother got his left leg amputated). Arz underwent around 19 operations between

What could come next after weekend strikes between #Israel and #Hezbollah? via Al Arabiya English with thanks to Firas Maksad, Oubai Shahbandar & Neil Quilliam english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-ea…

UN Security Council unanimously votes to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon UNIFIL for another year

Wow. Aerial video of massive protest in Tel Aviv, Israel tonight of nearly 300,000 people, demanding a ceasefire hours after bodies of 6 hostages were retrieved from Gaza tunnel. Largest rally since war:

Biden and Harris are going to meet with their national security team on Monday morning to determine the strategy for the final push regarding the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal

BREAKING - Lebanon's former central bank governor Riad Salameh arrested after being interrogated by judge over alleged corruption scheme - senior judicial source Reuters

Images few Lebanese thought they would ever see: Lebanon’s former central bank governor being led to detention by cops. Many still feel uneasy, like this is part of some game and he will be free soon.

#Statement | Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli statements on Philadelphia axis and the absurd attempts to justify the continuous Israeli violations of int’l laws & norms and stresses its solidarity by Egypt against Israeli allegations.

Scoop: The U.S. and Israel held a low-profile virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss how to ease tensions with Lebanon and reach a diplomatic solution that will prevent an all out war between Israel and Hezbollah. My story on Axios axios.com/2024/09/04/isr…