AGP Executive Report

Casualties Update: Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health says Israeli aggression has left 16,259 casualties since March 2 to Aug. 28, including 4,321 deaths and 12,203 injuries, with 204 attacks on the health sector damaging 17 hospitals and forcing three facilities to close. Humanitarian Alarm: The Red Cross called consecutive strikes on medical workers “gravely concerning,” after a deadly hit on a Red Cross centre in Tyre. Southern Lebanon Under Fire: Israeli airstrikes, artillery and bulldozing continued across the south, with reports of demolitions and fires in multiple towns. Diplomacy, With Limits: Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Iran’s push for better ties but insisted relations must go through official state institutions, not via factions. Regional Support: Jordan’s King met Lebanon’s army commander to discuss expanding defense cooperation and protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty. UAE-Lebanon Business: UAE Chambers and Lebanon’s business federation signed to revive a joint business council, aiming to boost trade and investment. Local Life: A Lebanese man’s solar data shows big seasonal swings in home electricity generation, tied to both sun and household consumption.

Southern Lebanon Under Fire: Israel escalated ceasefire violations with artillery shelling and airstrikes hitting towns including Kfar Rumman, Mansouri and Beit Siyad, while flare bombs sparked fires in Aita al-Jabal and reports described a massive explosion in Houla. Humanitarian Toll: Lebanon’s Health Ministry said deaths from Israeli attacks have risen to 4,352 martyrs and 12,318 injured. State Sovereignty Push: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun both stressed that war-and-peace decisions must rest with the Lebanese state and its institutions, not factions, as the US again urged Hezbollah to disarm. Diplomacy Calls: Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry responded to Iran’s Araghchi, reiterating relations must go through sovereign state institutions. Regional Ties: Qatar’s Amir and Lebanon’s president discussed bilateral support, while Jordan’s King met the Lebanese army commander and both sides reaffirmed defense cooperation. Economy & Business: The UAE revived a joint business council with Lebanon, aiming to boost private-sector trade and investment. Road Safety Angle: A new report contrasts stricter driving abroad with weaker enforcement at home, linking poor road discipline to Lebanon’s rising casualties. Education Worry: With September approaching, at least 100,000 students may face school disruption due to war damage and schools used as shelters.

US-Lebanon-Israel Framework: A US State Department spokesperson said Washington recognizes Lebanon’s government as the only legitimate body to negotiate the country’s future, but insisted Hezbollah must disarm and hand weapons to the state before talks can move forward. Hezbollah’s Rejection: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem reiterated the group will not surrender, rejecting the framework and “pilot areas” tied to Israeli withdrawal. Southern Lebanon Under Strain: Israel carried out airstrikes, artillery shelling and demolitions across Nabatieh and Marjayoun, including the reported blowing up of an elderly care home in Houla, as Lebanon’s health ministry put deaths since March 2 at 4,352. Beirut Suburbs Evacuation Warning: Israel issued urgent evacuation notices for several southern Beirut neighborhoods, citing Hezbollah activity and warning civilians not to stay near facilities. UNIFIL After Dec. 31: Nabih Berri said UNIFIL’s end would require a new UN-backed force under a UN banner, arguing bilateral deals can’t replace international presence while Israel refuses full withdrawal. Travel Disruptions: The US updated advisories for Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, warning of security risks linked to Iran; meanwhile, airlines in the region reported cancellations and delays.

Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israeli forces carried out airstrikes, artillery shelling and explosions across multiple southern towns, including Nabatieh, Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Haddatha, Haris and Al-Mansouri, with reports of a drone strike hitting a building on Nabih Berri Avenue in Nabatieh and a large explosion between Markaba and Rab el-Thalathine. Fires in the South: Occupation forces set woodland fires between Aita al-Jabal and Haddatha, spreading rapidly in strong winds and hampering firefighting. Winter Risk in Beirut’s Suburbs: In Beirut’s southern suburbs, war-damaged buildings face a new threat from heavy rain and strong winds, with municipalities warning residents not to approach damaged structures as winter nears. Hezbollah Rejects Deal: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem again rejected the Lebanon-Israel framework agreement, calling it illegitimate and refusing “pilot zones” and any verification setup. Diplomacy and Sovereignty: Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said the state will support border communities, praising their resilience, while Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi told a Lebanese Shia cleric that unity is key to countering Israeli aggression. Greek Aid to Lebanese Army: Greece delivered a second military shipment to the Lebanese Army at Beirut’s port, including M113 armored carriers and trucks. Heritage Under Pressure: Archaeological work continues to uncover Lebanon’s Roman and older treasures, even as excavations in the south have been disrupted by the war.

UNIFIL Update: UNIFIL says it recorded 1,030 projectile trajectories in southern Lebanon from Aug 21–27, averaging 147 a day, warning the border remains “highly fragile” despite lower levels than earlier this year. Casualties & Displacement: Lebanon’s health ministry puts deaths from the March 2 escalation at 4,352 and injuries at 12,318, while the UN says 330,000 people remain displaced and humanitarian access is still blocked in parts of the south. Southern Lebanon Escalation: Lebanese media reports Israeli airstrikes, explosions and artillery shelling across multiple towns, including demolitions and fires, as ceasefire violations continue. Hezbollah Rejects Framework: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem again denounced the US-brokered Lebanon-Israel framework and “pilot zones,” saying the group will not “surrender” and calling for the framework’s downfall. Next Talks: A new US-mediated round between Israel and Lebanon is set for early September, with disputes over Israeli withdrawal and verification still unresolved. US Sanctions Pressure: The US Treasury unveiled its first “secondary” Iran sanctions, targeting Banque Misr UAE’s access to US dollar transactions over Iran-linked dealings. Diplomacy vs Pressure: Iran’s Abbas Araghchi says diplomacy is “not impossible” but only if Washington drops pressure; Iran also says it’s ready to reopen a temporary Strait of Hormuz corridor with Oman if US conditions are met.

Humanitarian Crisis in South Lebanon: UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric says about 330,000 people remain displaced across Lebanon, with aid teams blocked by access limits south of the Litani River as fighting continues. UNIFIL Exit Plans: The UN Security Council is weighing what comes after UNIFIL’s mandate ends this year, with the US and Israel pushing for a smaller verification role tied to the June framework, while EU officials also draft a possible civilian-military mission for 2027. Ceasefire Strains: UNIFIL recorded 1,030 projectiles fired in southern Lebanon from Aug. 21–27, averaging 147 a day, despite the June agreement. Southern Lebanon Attacks: Reports describe continued Israeli strikes and shelling, including demolitions around Ali al-Taher and towns such as Houla, Wadi Slouqi, Mansouri, and Arab Salim, with civilians killed and injured. Diplomacy and “Pilot Zones”: Israel tells the US the “pilot zones” plan has failed, while Lebanon says it wants to avoid internal bloodshed and keep negotiations focused on state authority. US-Iran Pressure Ripple: The US Treasury moves to revoke Banque Misr UAE’s dollar access, calling it a “critical node” for Iran-linked financial networks.

Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israel kept up artillery and machine-gun fire across the south, hitting towns including Houla and Wadi al-Salouqi, with no immediate casualty details reported. UN Humanitarian Warning: UN OCHA said renewed hostilities are disrupting daily life and forcing responders to withdraw at times, while funding for a six-month flash appeal is only slightly above half. Diplomacy vs. the Ground: Israel told the US its southern Lebanon pilot program has failed, blaming the Lebanese army for not destroying Hezbollah infrastructure using IDF-provided coordinates; a US official denied a report that the US ambassador is holding talks with Hezbollah. Iran’s Lebanon “Red Line”: Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned Beirut and the southern suburbs are Tehran’s “red line,” said Netanyahu will be sent “to hell,” and threatened countermeasures if the US blockade continues. Lebanon-UAE Ties: UAE and Lebanon officials signed MoUs and discussed expanding trade, investment, industry support, and digital cooperation. Gaza Human Toll: Palestinian bodies held by Israel reached about 1,700, as Palestinians marked a national day for recovery of martyrs’ remains.

UAE-Lebanon Economic Push: UAE Foreign Trade Minister Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi met President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, pledging support for Lebanon’s stability and economic development after a two-day forum that produced a “new wave” of private-sector partnerships and signed four agreements, including a UAE-Lebanon Business Council. Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israeli strikes hit Nabatieh’s Arab Salim, killing a woman married two days earlier and wounding six others; UNIFIL urged restraint and political engagement under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 as violence continues. UNIFIL Incident: A UNIFIL peacekeeper from Indonesia was killed and another critically injured after a projectile exploded near Adchit al-Qusayr, with UNIFIL saying it is investigating the source. Diplomacy vs. Tensions: UNIFIL reiterated 1701’s core terms—Blue Line respect, hostilities cessation, Israeli withdrawal, and Lebanese state authority—while Lebanon and Israel keep trading accusations of violations. Regional Politics: The 40th International Islamic Unity Conference opened in Tehran, drawing scholars and guests from around 40 countries, including Lebanon. Trade and Sanctions Watch: Visa and Mastercard reported the first international card payments in Syria in over a decade, signaling shifting financial ties after US moves.

Southern Lebanon Under Fire: Israeli warplanes struck the Ali al-Taher woodland near Nabatieh al-Fawqa and hit an area between Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Mayfadoun, as attacks continued despite a US-mediated framework for withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment. UNIFIL Aftershocks: Lebanon’s president says negotiations are the path to avoid “horrors and tragedies,” while Italy and the Lebanese army discuss the post-UNIFIL period and future cooperation. Diplomacy vs. State Authority: An editorial warns General Security cannot override the Foreign Ministry after Lebanon’s persona non grata decision for Iran’s ambassador-designate was effectively bypassed through a residency permit. Rights and Civilian Impact: A UN committee urged an end to attacks affecting civilians and warned of mass displacement and destruction tied to Israel’s operations since March. Economy and Partnerships: Lebanon hosted UAE business leaders to form a new economic council aimed at attracting investment and jump-starting recovery. Culture and Community: UNESCO’s director-general concluded a first official visit to Lebanon, reaffirming support for recovery and resilience. Media and Society: A Lebanese actress discusses how Arabic remakes of Turkish dramas are “Arabised adaptations,” not copies.

UN Rights Warning: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) says Israel’s attacks in Lebanon have driven mass displacement and civilian deaths, warning that racial-discrimination bans can’t be suspended during war and urging an end to dehumanizing rhetoric. Southern Lebanon Under Pressure: Lebanese reports and officials say Israel has used white phosphorus in the south, while residents describe fires and bulldozing of farmland; Israel also restricts movement in three Christian towns, with travel routed via convoys. Diplomacy and Ceasefire Talks: President Joseph Aoun says negotiations with Israel are the only way to reach goals in the south, while US envoy Michel Issa says “pilot areas” are being defined and attacks continue mainly outside them. UNIFIL After UNIFIL: Lebanon is again pushing to extend UNIFIL or find a new legal framework for an international presence coordinated with the Lebanese Army. Humanitarian Move: Sayyid Ali al-Sistani’s office in Beirut launches monthly support for orphans affected by the aggression, with applications to be verified. UAE-Lebanon Thaw: UAE business leaders arrive to form a Lebanese-Emirati business council, seeking “first-mover advantage” in logistics, energy, aviation, agriculture and tourism. Army-Italy Cooperation: Lebanon’s army commander visits Italy to discuss military cooperation and the post-UNIFIL role.

Ceasefire Talks: Two senior Lebanese officials told Reuters they were briefed on ongoing efforts to reach a Lebanon ceasefire, but gave no start date, saying any truce length may hinge on how long the US-Iran truce holds. Southern Lebanon Escalation: Despite the June ceasefire framework, Israeli strikes and artillery hit multiple towns and villages across the south, with reports of demolitions, fires, and sonic-bomb activity; Lebanon’s health ministry put deaths since March at 4,350 and injuries at 12,310. UNIFIL Successor Debate: With UNIFIL set to leave, Lebanon is pushing for a UN-backed successor to help manage security after the mission. Electricity Cuts: Lebanon’s electricity authority began cutting power to public institutions, municipalities, and hospitals over about $258 million in unpaid bills, with only a small share collected so far. Diplomatic Moves: Lebanon extended the visa of Iran’s ambassador Sheibani after he lost diplomatic immunity and was ordered to leave, while the UAE’s foreign minister spoke by phone with PM Nawaf Salam about supporting Lebanon’s stability. Sports & Community: FIBA Asia Cup 2029 pre-qualifiers rosters were confirmed, and local coverage also highlighted Lebanese food culture abroad.

Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israeli air strikes and artillery hit towns including al-Mansouri and Sarbin, with fires reported near the Litani River and Marjayoun plains as Lebanon’s Health Ministry put the death toll since March 2 at 4,350. UNIFIL Warning: UNIFIL says “entire neighbourhoods” have been wiped out across southern Lebanon, with destruction described as sometimes “systematic rather than selective.” Electricity Pressure: Lebanon’s state electricity provider has started cutting power to public institutions and hospitals over about $258m in unpaid bills, with only around $26m collected so far. UN Role After UNIFIL: Lebanon is pushing for a U.N.-backed successor as UNIFIL’s mandate nears expiry, fearing a protection and leverage vacuum. State vs Iran Diplomacy: Lebanon granted former Iranian ambassador Mohammad-Reza Sheibani a six-month residency permit as an “Iranian citizen, not a diplomat,” despite earlier persona non grata action. Regional Talks & Sanctions: Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed the U.S. removal of Syria from the state sponsors of terror list, while Israel warns Syria from the occupied Golan and calls for renewed talks. Travel Disruptions: Airlines continue adjusting Middle East schedules; multiple carriers keep suspensions to Beirut and Dubai into late October. Sports & Culture: FIBA Asia Cup 2029 pre-qualifiers rosters were confirmed for Groups A and B, and Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe will co-headline London’s OVO Arena Wembley in November.

UNIFIL and Resolution 1701: UNIFIL says any Israeli military presence north of Lebanon’s Blue Line violates UN Security Council Resolution 1701, stressing the Blue Line is the only UN reference point and that it monitors both Israeli activity and non-state armed actors. Southern Lebanon escalation: Reports say Israeli forces pushed beyond the “yellow line” into Haris, destroying a road link and cutting off parts of the town, while other strikes and demolitions hit villages and agricultural areas. Casualties in the south: A drone strike in Deir al-Zahrani killed two 17-year-olds on a motorcycle, as artillery and airstrikes continued across Nabatieh and the Ali al-Taher area. Diplomacy and post-UNIFIL planning: Lebanon and Italy discuss a post-UNIFIL phase, including possible European verification and support for the Lebanese Army, but ongoing attacks are blocking progress. Lebanon state vs. Hezbollah: A wider push continues around extending UNIFIL and disarmament, while Lebanon also granted an Iranian ambassador residency extension amid rising political tension. Humanitarian strain: Suspected food poisoning cases were reported in schools and displacement shelters, with investigations and lab tests underway. Regional backdrop: The US removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list after 47 years, with Damascus expecting remaining restrictions to be lifted. Sanctions on Iran: The US unveiled new sanctions aimed at tightening Iran’s financial isolation, warning partners and trade routes.

Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israeli strikes and demolitions kept hitting towns across the south, with Lebanon’s NNA reporting phosphorus munitions near Douha Kfarreman, Tal al-Dabsha and the Ali al-Taher forest, plus home blowups in Khiam, bulldozing in Houla, and fires spreading through agricultural fields. Ali al-Taher Standoff: A security source lays out two paths for the Ali al-Tahir heights—Hezbollah handing control to the Lebanese Army to reduce tensions, or Israel pushing a military offensive if talks fail—framing it as a test of state authority in the south. State vs. Hezbollah Politics: Hezbollah figures and officials trade barbs over possible U.S. contacts and pressure on Lebanon, while President Joseph Aoun urged resilience, firmness and unity on Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday amid “grave challenges.” UNIFIL Aftermath: LBCI says Italy is drafting a post-UNIFIL plan for a smaller international presence to back the Lebanese Army, support ceasefire work, and monitor disarmament steps. Lebanon’s Security Numbers: Information Minister Paul Morcos said ceasefire violations since April 17–June 7 hit 3,491 airstrikes and 407 demolitions, and that 29 Lebanese soldiers have been killed since March. Local Legal/Health: Lebanon arrested “Doctor Food” (Georges Dib) over alleged drug-laced treats, after a life sentence in absentia. U.S.-Golan Diplomatic Twist: U.S. envoy Tom Barrack walked back remarks about Golan “occupation,” saying it was historical description, not a policy shift.

UNIFIL Mandate Talks: Lebanon is pushing to extend UNIFIL’s presence as negotiations with Israel stall over Hezbollah disarmament, with officials framing the force as an “international umbrella” for implementing Resolution 1701 and weighing Italy/France/Spain options if the mandate ends. Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israel’s campaign is intensifying around Ali al-Taher, with reports of heavy strikes and phosphorus shelling claims adding to fears of a wider flare-up. US Mediation Row: US envoy Tom Barrack walked back comments about Israel “still” occupying the Golan, saying US policy remains set by Trump, after backlash that also spilled into Lebanon settlement debates. Sanctions and Diplomacy: UK PM Keir Starmer called Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to offer condolences, back humanitarian aid, and reaffirm support for the Lebanese army as regional diplomacy continues. Drug Case Crackdown: Lebanon arrested TikTok’s “Doctor Food” (Georges Dib) over alleged drug-laced sweets meant for export to the Gulf, following an in-absentia life sentence and airport seizures. Economy Under Strain: A World Bank report projects Lebanon’s economy will shrink 6.4% in 2026, blaming renewed conflict for wiping out 2025 recovery gains. Identity Forgery Probe: A new investigation highlights alleged forged Lebanese passports used by IRGC-linked figures, pointing to a broader covert document network tied to regional movement.

Lebanon’s Economy Under Strain: The World Bank warns Lebanon’s GDP will shrink 6.4% in 2026 as renewed fighting wipes out 2025 recovery gains, with hundreds of thousands still displaced and water infrastructure heavily damaged. Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israel intensifies strikes and shelling across south Lebanon, with attacks focused on Ali al-Taher heights and reports of drones over Beirut’s southern suburbs, as Hezbollah studies “all options” amid the pressure. US Mediation Fallout Over Golan: U.S. envoy Tom Barrack walked back remarks saying Israel “still” occupies the Golan, insisting U.S. policy set by Trump in 2019 is unchanged—after criticism that his comments clashed with Washington’s line. Hezbollah Internal Tensions: A report says Hezbollah’s eastern “heartland” clans are questioning the party’s value as the security situation deteriorates, hinting at a possible internal revolt. Food Influencer Arrest: Lebanese authorities arrested TikTok’s “Dr. Food” (Georges Dib), sentenced in absentia to life for drug-laced treats, and plan a retrial after a home raid in Akkar. Local Life Amid War: In Kfar Remmen, a fading copper-retinning craft is being revived to restore pots salvaged from homes hit by strikes.