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UNIFIL urges 'immediate' probe into vehicle torching, UN coordinator says attack unacceptable

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon on Friday demanded a "full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities" Friday after one of its vehicles was torched by Hezbollah supporters on the airport road, wounding its outgoing deputy commander.

"Attacks on peacekeepers are flagrant violations of international law and may amount to war crimes," the UNIFIL peacekeeping force said.

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Iran accuses Israel of disrupting air route to Lebanon

Iran accused Israel on Friday of disrupting flights from Tehran to Beirut, after a decision barring two Iranian planes from landing in the Lebanese capital sparked protests.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using Lebanon's only airport to transfer weapons from Iran and struck the area during its war with the Tehran-backed militant group which ended late last year.

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Drugs, weapons in Syria borderland where Hezbollah held sway

In a desolate area of Syria where Lebanese militant group Hezbollah once held sway, security forces shot open the gates to an abandoned building and found a defunct drug factory.

Syria's new authorities launched a security campaign last week around Qusayr at the porous Lebanese border, cracking down on drug and weapons smugglers.

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Israeli security official says army readying to 'withdraw from Lebanon'

The Israeli military is prepared to withdraw from Lebanese territory and hand over areas to the Lebanese Army "within the timeline" set by a U.S.-French-mediated ceasefire agreement, a senior Israeli security official said.

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Israeli airstrikes target alleged Hezbollah sites in the South

Israeli fighter jets overnight hit what the Israeli army said were Hezbollah military sites "containing weapons and launchers, which pose a direct threat to the Israeli home front."

Lebanese media reported that Israeli aircraft had targeted sites near the town of Yater. Warplanes were also seen flying over southern Lebanese villages and towns.

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UN chief urges Israel and Lebanon to honor their commitments

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said "we continue to urge Israel and Lebanon to honor their commitments to the cessation of hostilities understanding."

"Continued progress in Lebanese Armed Forces redeployment and Israeli Defense Force withdrawal is crucial," Haq said, adding that "the parties must avoid any action that could raise tensions, endanger civilians and further delay their return to their towns and villages on both sides."

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Lebanon marks 20 years since Rafik Hariri killed as power balance shifts

Lebanon on Friday marks 20 years since former prime minister Rafik Hariri's assassination amid seismic political changes that have weakened Hezbollah and its backers and could herald a comeback for Hariri's son Saad.

Rafik Hariri, a towering political figure, had resigned as premier when a suicide bombing targeted his convoy in Beirut, killing him and 21 others on February 14, 2005.

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Hamas expected to name Israeli hostages it will free this weekend

Hamas was expected Friday to name three hostages it will release this weekend as part of a planned exchange for Palestinian prisoners, local media said, after days of uncertainty in which Israel threatened to scrap a nearly month-old Gaza ceasefire deal.

Israel warned Thursday that the Palestinian militants must release three living hostages this weekend or face a resumption of the war in Gaza, after Hamas said it would pause releases over apparent Israeli violations of the truce.

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Rubio says US keen for Arab ideas on Gaza

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was eager to hear new proposals by Arab states on Gaza, after President Donald Trump's stunning plan to displace the territory's entire population.

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Russian drone 'struck' Chernobyl cover

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that a Russian drone had struck a cover built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, adding that "radiation levels have not increased."

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