Palestinian movement Hamas said in a statement that the head of its political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, has received a phone call from caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

“The two sides discussed the latest political and military developments, especially the negotiations to stop the war in Gaza and the ongoing invasion of Rafah,” the statement said.

The Israeli army’s Northern Command “continues to increase competence and readiness for a variety of combat scenarios in the North,” the Israeli army has said.

“The reserve battalions of the Etzioni Brigade (6) participated in a brigade exercise in the Western Galilee, led by the National Center for Land Training (MLA),” the Israeli army added.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed that Israel "will achieve (its) goals in the north and south," in what he called a message to both Israel’s "enemies and best friends."

The comments come after U.S. President Joe Biden threatened that some arms shipments would be frozen if Israel launched a planned full-on offensive in southern Gaza’s Rafah.

Parliament will convene Wednesday to discuss a deal with the EU including a financial package of $1 billion for Lebanon.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen had announced $1 billion in aid for Lebanon during a visit to the crisis-hit country and urged it to tackle illegal migration to the bloc.

Supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement have protested in front of the U.N headquarters against Syrian refugees and the deal between the European Union and the Lebanese government.

Protesters held up a mockup of a bank cheque with Arabic words that read: "Pay to the order of the Lebanese State the sum of one billion Euro", during the protest Thursday.

Ambassador Lisa A. Johnson has visited the Zgharta district in North Lebanon, meeting with government officials, civil society leaders, and community members involved in two USAID development projects and an U.S. Embassy funded program supporting local women’s advocacy for equal rights and access to public services.

In Mazraat El Teffah, Ambassador Johnson attended the opening of a new solar-powered water pumping station.

Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon Sandra De Waele has called for a diplomatic settlement in southern Lebanon, as "Lebanon cannot afford to be dragged further" into war.

On the occasion of Europe Day Thursday, De Waele said that over the past few months, the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon has followed closely the dramatic circumstances unfolding in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and has used every diplomatic channel to call for an end to the hostilities and to the human suffering.

Mount Lebanon Attorney General Tanios al-Saghbeeni on Thursday filed charges against 12 suspects in the so-called TikTok child molestation case, the National News Agency said.

Those charged include five detainees, NNA added.

The opening ceremony of the third edition of the Middle East Clean Energy Exhibition and Conference took place on Wednesday afternoon, May 8th. The event was attended by Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayad. The exhibition and conference, specialized in clean and renewable energy, showcased cutting-edge technologies, along with a range of related solutions and services. Exhibitors presented their commercial products, including inverters, panels, batteries, solar heaters, and project financing. The event is scheduled to run until May 10th, 2024, at Hotel Phoenicia in the heart of Beirut.

The ceremony began with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by a speech by Beirut Expo's founder, Farhat Farhat, emphasizing the importance of holding such initiatives despite internal challenges and the war in southern Lebanon.

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has noted that “it’s not Hezbollah that will decide the end of the war in Lebanon and the south, but rather Israel and Hamas, which are negotiating.”

“Hezbollah considers that it is achieving something by assisting Gaza, but we do not agree to this,” Bassil added, in an interview on RT Arabic.