An Israeli massive overnight detonation in the southern border town of Khiam caused widespread destruction in nearby villages, damaging homes, schools, and infrastructure.

The blast resulted in a complete blackout across the Hasbaya, Shebaa, and Arqoub regions and shattered windows in nearby buildings, including a school in Marjayoun.

President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday met with an official Syrian delegation comprising the ministers of economy, tourism, agriculture, and transport, as well as the heads of the investment and aviation authorities and the head of the Lebanese-Syrian Business Council.

Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar spoke first, conveying the greetings of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Aoun, the Lebanese government and the “brotherly Lebanese people.”

The head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammad Raad, has said that Hezbollah has conducted a deep review of the course adopted since October 8, 2023, objectively identifying any flaws or shortcomings in its performance.

In an interview with the al-Modon news portal, Raad noted that Hezbollah held its ground for four months at the strategic Ali al-Taher hill "despite a tight air and land blockade and exposure to tons of explosives, shells and airstrikes," while accusing Lebanese authorities of "betting on dragging the Resistance into the implementation mechanism of the framework agreement -- an attempt that failed."

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Israel of violating the sovereignty of all its neighboring states, in a speech at the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.

Macron also affirmed France's support for a sovereign Lebanese state that ensures the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Wednesday with Arab League chief Nabil Fahmy in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations summit.

The meeting focused on mobilizing Arab support for crisis- and war-hit Lebanon, to facilitate the country's recovery and reconstruction.

President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that the time has come for all Lebanese to realize that “our homeland cannot be built by a single group, sect, or party.”

“It is our destiny to live together; hatred does not build a nation, and division serves only those who wish for Lebanon to remain weak. Dialogue, on the other hand, is what builds trust among the people of the same nation,” Aoun added.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York with U.N. chief António Guterres, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Iraqi PM Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Salam’s meeting with Erdogan addressed the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as efforts to de-escalate tensions and enhance regional security and stability.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said that displacement of the population, destruction of infrastructure and occupation of territory are the “language” that Hamas and Hezbollah understand, defending Israel’s actions in this regard.

The destruction of infrastructure and the forced displacement of civilians constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.

As the world marked the International Day of Peace and communities in south Lebanon continue to grapple with the consequences of conflict, peacekeepers marked the day with a small ceremony at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura on Monday evening.

“Peace is not something we address once a year; it is an enduring responsibility,” said UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara in a short speech for the occasion. “We patrol, we keep channels of communication open with the parties to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and escalation. We work with the Lebanese Armed Forces as they assume greater responsibilities in the south.”

The Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon and the Samir Kassir Foundation have announced the results of the 21st edition of the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press, at a ceremony held at the Sursock Palace Gardens in Beirut.

Established with funding from the European Union, the Award is internationally recognized as a flagship prize for press freedom and the most prestigious journalism award in the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf region. Since 2006, the ceremony has been held annually to commemorate the assassination of Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir on 2 June 2005 in Beirut, and to celebrate his life, values, and intellectual and professional struggle.