AGP Executive Report

Southern Lebanon Under Fire: Israeli artillery shelling, explosions and machine-gun fire hit towns including Mansouri, Bayt al-Sayyad and Majdal Zoun overnight, with drones reported flying over western and central areas. Ceasefire Strains: Lebanon says Israel continues daily violations despite a framework push, while officials warn a security vacuum could follow UNIFIL’s planned end. Ceasefire Diplomacy: President Joseph Aoun met Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni in Rome, urging pressure on Israel to implement the US-mediated framework and discussing the post-UNIFIL security period. State Authority Push: PM Nawaf Salam and Defense Minister Michel Menassa linked stability in the south to one authority under a strong Lebanese army, alongside reconstruction and services. Human Toll: Lebanon’s health ministry put deaths since Oct 2023 at 8,915 and injuries at 30,543, with 4,348 deaths and 12,307 injuries since March 2. Economy Hit: The World Bank forecasts Lebanon’s GDP will contract 6.4% in 2026 and inflation rise to 17.5%, citing war-driven damage to tourism, supply chains and displacement. US Sanctions on Hezbollah: Washington reinstated and expanded sanctions, calling Hezbollah an IRGC-linked proxy; Hezbollah rejected the move as an attempt to entrench occupation and weaken Lebanon. UN Security Council Reform: UN secretary-general candidate Ivonne Baki called for major Security Council overhaul, arguing its structure no longer matches today’s realities.

Southern Lebanon Security: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Defense Minister Michel Menassa visited the South Litani headquarters in Tyre, urging the army to stay united and warning that restoring sovereignty requires “one strong army,” as Israeli strikes and demolitions continued across the south. Ali al-Taher Standoff: Hezbollah said it has “no intention” of surrendering Ali al-Taher hill to the Lebanese Army, though it left room for a compromise tied to a cessation of hostilities and Israeli withdrawal. US Sanctions on Hezbollah: The US re-designated Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy and sanctioned a network accused of moving cash via couriers on flights between Lebanon, Türkiye, the UAE and Iran; Hezbollah rejected the claim and said the move won’t deter resistance. World Bank Outlook: The World Bank projected Lebanon’s economy will contract 6.4% in 2026, citing war damage, disrupted supply chains, weaker tourism and prolonged displacement, while stressing banking and fiscal reforms. Diplomacy and Borders: Pope Leo XIV met President Joseph Aoun as the Vatican voiced “serious concerns” over stalled Israel-Lebanon deal implementation; France also said it’s ready to host talks to prevent escalation. Humanitarian/Legal: Lebanon abolished the death penalty, but a new amnesty law is sparking debate over security and accountability.

Southern Lebanon Under Fire: “Israeli” forces carried out overnight airstrikes, artillery shelling, demolitions and fires across multiple towns in the south, including near Mansouri, Hadatha, al-Tiri, Tyre and Ali al-Taher hill, despite a ceasefire. Ali al-Taher Focus: Reports and counter-reports keep circling around Ali al-Taher Heights as a key flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah confrontation. US Sanctions & Hezbollah Redesignation: The US Treasury imposed fresh sanctions on 10 people tied to a cash courier network moving “hundreds of millions” across Lebanon, Turkey and the UAE to Iran, and redesignated Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy under the IRGC-Quds Force. Diplomacy at the Vatican: President Joseph Aoun met Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials, urging continued pressure for Israel to implement the June 26 framework and withdraw, while the Holy See voiced “serious concerns” about implementation. Lebanon-Saudi Trade Restart: Saudi Ambassador Fahd Al-Dosari inaugurated the third phase of renewed Lebanese land exports, with scanning equipment activated at Masnaa and a new land border crossing center planned. UN Leadership Race: The US clashed with UNGA president Annalena Baerbock over demands for transparency in the secretary-general selection process as a new straw poll looms. UNESCO Backs Recovery: UNESCO’s director-general visited Lebanon, signed a cooperation deal through 2029, and announced education support including a $1m grant.

Southern Lebanon Under Fire: “Israeli” warplanes and artillery hit the Ali al-Taher heights and areas near Al-Dabsha and Dawhet Kfar Roummane, with overnight shelling also reported around Majdal Zoun and Al-Mansouri, as talks continue over security arrangements and withdrawal. UNIFIL Handover: UNIFIL transferred the Khardali-Litani position to the Lebanese Army’s 7th Brigade, part of a wider plan to end UNIFIL’s mission by year-end while peacekeepers say they remain committed to Resolution 1701. Framework Deal Pressure: The Vatican said it has “serious concerns” about difficulties implementing the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework after Pope Leo XIV met President Joseph Aoun, who urged immediate cessation of attacks and full Israeli withdrawal. Ali al-Taher Proposal: A Western diplomatic source told LBCI that Hezbollah had offered to hand over Ali al-Taher to the army, later denied by Hezbollah MPs. Lebanon-Iran Tensions: Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Yousef Raggi demanded Iran stop interfering in internal affairs before normal ties can resume. US Sanctions Push: The US is expected to designate Hezbollah as part of Iran’s IRGC, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned new measures could “collapse” Iran. Banking Reform: The US Embassy welcomed Lebanon’s Banking Resolution Law amendments, and the IMF said the changes are a major step, though implementation risks could delay recovery. UN Chief Race: Lebanese-born Ecuadorean diplomat Ivonne Baki pledged to focus on conflict prevention and UN renewal. UAE Investment Interest: A major UAE business delegation is set to visit Lebanon to explore public-private partnerships, including customs, ports, and energy-linked projects. Energy Ambition: Lebanon is looking to expand Zahrani’s role as a regional energy hub, boosting storage and re-export capacity. Regional Diplomacy: Qatar and Egypt reaffirmed ties and economic cooperation, while PM and foreign ministers met Egypt’s top diplomat. Travel Rule: Cyprus will accept only Lebanese biometric passports for visa applications from September 1.

Southern Lebanon Under Fire: Israeli warplanes carried out overnight strikes on the Ali al-Taher heights and nearby areas, with artillery shelling reported around Nabatieh al-Fawqa and other towns; no casualty details were immediately released. Pilot Zones Stalemate: Lebanese officials say verification for the US-brokered “pilot zones” is still the main bottleneck, with disputes over who can verify disarmament and how access will work. Diplomatic Pressure in Rome: President Joseph Aoun is in Italy for talks with Pope Leo XIV and Italian leaders, amid ongoing Israeli violations despite the June framework agreement. Extradition to Syria: Lebanon handed over former Assad-era Major General Adel Issa to Damascus for trial over alleged murder and torture, the first such transfer since Assad’s fall. Regional Tensions: Israel’s strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur air base has escalated friction with Türkiye, with US officials warning of escalation risks. US Iran Economic Threat: Trump announced a new, harsher economic pressure campaign targeting Iran and warning countries and businesses against providing financial lifelines. Lebanon Humanitarian Reality: UN and local reporting highlights renewed displacement pressure on civilians as attacks continue.

Southern Lebanon Toll: Lebanon’s Health Ministry says nearly 4,350 people have been killed and 12,300 injured since Israel’s March offensive began, with deaths concentrated in the south, Mount Lebanon, Nabatiyé and Beirut. Ceasefire Friction: Despite the ceasefire, reports point to continued Israeli strikes and demolitions, including explosions near Tallouseh and Houla and air activity around Ali al-Taher. UNESCO & Heritage: UNESCO added five southern castles to its World Heritage in Danger list; President Joseph Aoun met Pope Leo XIV and urged stronger international protection for sites like Beaufort. Diplomacy & Aid: Canada’s Randeep Sarai condemned Israel’s “unlawful invasion” and announced new aid; Jordan and Türkiye sent fresh medical and humanitarian shipments. Politics in Beirut: Nabih Berri said only Trump can compel Israel to end the war and withdraw; Bassil demanded a public parliamentary hearing over the framework agreement and Hezbollah’s weapons. Local Economy/Corruption: Lebanon’s State Security raided a medical supplies firm accused of repackaging used equipment as new.

UN Diplomacy: President Joseph Aoun heads to Rome this week to push for the future of UNIFIL as its mandate nears expiry, meeting Italy’s and France’s proposed replacement coalition plans and briefing Vatican leadership after US-sponsored Lebanon-Israel talks resume. Ceasefire Strains in the South: Lebanese reports say Israeli forces kept violating the ceasefire with shelling, bombings and bulldozing in towns including Mansouri, Houla and Ainatha, while UN agencies warn displacement and humanitarian needs remain severe. Displacement Reality Check: UNHCR says about 860,000 people have returned home, but roughly 360,000 remain displaced, with tens of thousands still in collective shelters and basic services still badly damaged. Domestic Politics Under Pressure: Lebanon’s leaders agreed to postpone parliamentary elections and extend parliament’s term by two years, pending parliamentary approval, amid renewed clashes. Regional Justice: Lebanon has moved to extradite an Assad-era general to Syria after his arrest in Beirut, signaling a shift away from the past era’s safe havens. Culture & Community: Faraj Suleiman announced a London tribute concert honoring Ziad Rahbani’s legacy in January 2027.

UNIFIL Future Talks: President Joseph Aoun heads to Rome this week to push for extending UNIFIL’s mandate, warning Lebanon needs an international presence in the south as Israel keeps violating the framework and the mission nears expiry. Displacement Crisis: UNHCR says Lebanon’s displacement emergency is still “far from over” after 850,000+ returns—hundreds of families fled again after weekend strikes, with damaged homes, blocked mobility, and explosive remnants still hurting communities. South Lebanon Under Fire: The Lebanese Army says it will keep operating under the Israel framework despite ongoing attacks, while reports describe strikes and artillery activity around border towns and the Ali al-Taher ridge. Hezbollah vs. Street Pressure: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem’s remarks about anger have sparked debate in Lebanon over whether the group is preparing to mobilize supporters beyond containment. Accountability in Syria: Lebanon ordered the extradition of former Assad-era general Adel Issa to Syria for alleged crimes, as Damascus also handed death sentences to Wassim al-Assad. Energy Corridor: Lebanon met an Iraqi delegation on reviving the Kirkuk–Tripoli oil pipeline to turn Beirut into a storage and re-export hub.

Southern Lebanon Escalation: UNIFIL says Israeli activity in the south jumped to an average of 137 projectiles a day between Aug 5-16, with civilians again displaced and forced to change routines, as Lebanon pushes to extend UNIFIL’s mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701. UNIFIL Mandate Debate: President Joseph Aoun backs keeping international forces in place and says Lebanon won’t “retreat” on the US-backed framework with Israel, even as attacks continue. Ceasefire Friction: UNIFIL also warned that Israeli flags on a main coastal highway violate Resolution 1701, urging all sides to avoid provocative actions. Food Security Pushback: Lebanon’s food importers’ syndicate rejected WFP warnings of an imminent food crisis, saying stocks cover about three months and shipments are arriving on schedule, with Masnaa’s reopening helping supply routes. Energy Deal in Focus: Lebanese officials met an Iraqi delegation in Beirut to revive the Kirkuk-Tripoli oil pipeline, aiming to turn Lebanon into an initial storage and re-export hub for Iraqi crude and refined products.

UNIFIL and UNIFIL mandate debate: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and MP Melhem Khalaf are pushing to extend UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon, warning that without it there must be another legal framework for international presence alongside the Lebanese Army; UNIFIL says Israeli activity has surged, recording an average of 137 projectiles per day from 5–16 August, with civilians again displaced and disrupted. Ceasefire pressure in the south: Lebanon’s National News Agency reports fresh Israeli strikes and machine-gun fire across areas including Wadi al-Hujair, Khiam, Haddatha and Mansouri, as Israel prepares for possible days of fighting and says it targets Hezbollah infrastructure. UN resolution dispute: UNIFIL says Israeli flags planted on the Naqoura–Tyre coastal road violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701, urging all sides to avoid provocative actions. Diplomacy amid escalation: Jared Kushner met Netanyahu after talks with Hamas in Egypt, while Lebanon insists it will not retreat from the US-sponsored framework with Israel and says reconstruction depends on security progress. Domestic rights update: Aoun signed the definitive abolition of the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated forced labor. Regional energy angle: Lebanon hosted talks with an Iraqi delegation on reviving the Kirkuk–Tripoli oil pipeline as Baghdad seeks alternative export routes to the Mediterranean.

Southern Lebanon Ceasefire Frays: Israeli forces carried out strikes in multiple southern towns despite the Lebanon-Israel truce, including reported shelling and gunfire in Hadatha and airstrikes around Al-Qantara and Al-Mansouri, as families again fled toward Sidon. Deadliest Weekend Toll: Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has reached 4,346, with 12,301 wounded, after at least 11 people were killed in Saturday’s strikes. Hezbollah-Linked Claims: Israel said it killed senior Hezbollah commander Abu Hassan Alaa in an attack tied to Hezbollah activity, while Hezbollah vowed an “appropriate” response and rejected the framework that hinges on Hezbollah disarmament. US-Iran Hormuz Standoff: Diplomacy stalls as a US-Iran interim ceasefire period expires, with Iran insisting the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control and Trump again signaling higher fuel prices and pressure on Tehran. Regional Politics: Turkey’s Erdogan warned Israel is the aggressor in Lebanon and said Türkiye would not hesitate to fight if attacked, while Trump praised the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Energy Watch: In Beirut, Lebanese officials met an Iraqi delegation to revive the Kirkuk-Tripoli oil pipeline, aiming to turn Lebanon into a storage and re-export hub for Iraqi crude.

Southern Lebanon Toll: Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli strikes since March 2 have killed 4,346 people and wounded 12,301, with hospitals under mounting pressure. Deadliest Weekend Escalation: The weekend’s attacks hit Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani, killing 11 including three children, as Israel blamed Hezbollah for drone activity and vowed further strikes. Framework Talks Under Strain: The U.S. says the “pilot zone” process is the only path to lasting peace and insists Hezbollah must be disarmed, while Lebanese leaders argue the strikes are undermining stability and intimidate residents. Hezbollah Response: Hezbollah and allies warn against direct talks and promise an “appropriate” response, as displacement fears push southern families to leave again. Regional Pressure Point: With a U.S.-Iran deadline expiring, the Strait of Hormuz remains the main standoff, and Iran’s leadership rejects any idea of U.S. control. Diplomacy Watch: Jordan and Lebanon discussed parliamentary cooperation in Beirut, even as the border security and ceasefire framework remain contested. Other News: A French ambassador linked to Lebanon, Bruno Foucher, faces disciplinary proceedings after allegations of misconduct in an official residence.

Southern Lebanon Death Toll: Israeli strikes on Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani killed at least 11 people, including three children and two women, with 19 wounded, as Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state media blamed attacks on civilian areas while Israel said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and commanders. Ceasefire Friction: The violence came despite the June framework, with Hezbollah warning attacks would be met with “what they deserve” and Lebanese leaders— including Speaker Nabih Berri and PM Nawaf Salam—calling it a continuation of Israel’s disregard for agreements. Pilot-Zone Push: A US State Department spokesperson told i24NEWS the “pilot-zone” process is the only viable path, urging the Lebanese army to complete land-clearing and linking expansion to Hezbollah disarmament. UNIFIL Role: UNIFIL said an international presence in the south remains important to support UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and strengthen Lebanese state authority. Regional Diplomacy: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed Trump’s Islamabad MoU amounted to implicit recognition of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” while also saying negotiations were suspended after strikes on Beirut’s Dahiyeh. Energy Watch: In Beirut, Lebanese officials met an Iraqi delegation to revive the Kirkuk-Tripoli oil pipeline as Lebanon prepares to act as a storage and re-export hub for Iraqi crude, with border and safety upgrades underway. Travel Disruption: UAE flight cancellations and changes were reported amid escalating regional tensions, with passengers urged to check before flying.

Southern Lebanon Escalation: Israeli airstrikes on Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani killed at least 11 people, including three children, and wounded 19, with Lebanon’s PM Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun calling it an intimidation tactic that undermines the June framework and stressing the victims were not “military targets.” Diplomacy Under Strain: Israel says the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure after an attack on its troops in the Ali al-Taher “security zone,” while Netanyahu’s spokesman says the violence should “jumpstart” tougher US-brokered talks—prompting Hezbollah to warn of an “appropriate” response and to urge Beirut to stop direct negotiations. Hormuz Tensions Ripple Regionally: Iran rejected Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz could become US territory, insisting only Tehran can open or close it, as Iran also said it reached an Oman shipping-route map despite US “obstruction,” while UAE blamed Iran for an ADNOC-linked vessel attack. Energy Deal Watch: In Beirut, Lebanese officials met an Iraqi delegation to revive the Kirkuk–Tripoli oil pipeline as Lebanon prepares to act as a storage and re-export hub for Iraqi crude, including upgrades to borders, roads, and safety standards.

Southern Lebanon Strike: Lebanese state media says an Israeli airstrike early Saturday hit a home on the outskirts of Ansar, killing seven and wounding three, with rescuers still pulling victims from rubble. Ceasefire Friction: The same reports say the attack reached deeper than before since the June ceasefire lull, and also targeted the Ali al-Taher ridge area. Withdrawal Timetable Clash: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met U.S. officials and urged a clear timetable for Israel’s withdrawal, while Speaker Nabih Berri accused Israel of ongoing demolitions, forest fires, and damage to heritage sites. Hezbollah Response: Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected the U.S.-mediated framework, saying it is an Israeli-imposed deal and that Israel only understands “the language of force,” insisting resistance will continue. Diplomacy vs Escalation: U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa described talks as “positive” but did not set dates, as both sides trade blame over whether pilot zones and withdrawals will expand.

Israel-Lebanon Front: Israeli forces kept up attacks and demolitions across southern Lebanon overnight and into Friday, including strikes near Ali al-Taher and Wadi Zibqin, while Lebanon’s army said deployments are still blocked by the fighting. Ali al-Taher Ridge Talks: Reports say Israel is awaiting US approval for an operation to seize the Ali al-Taher hills, with Washington urging a “limited and precise” move that won’t derail the framework. US-Lebanon Mediation: US General Joseph Clearfield met Speaker Nabih Berri and PM Nawaf Salam in Beirut to push the military track of the June framework, with both sides demanding Israel stop destruction, expand “pilot” areas, and set a clear withdrawal timetable. Hezbollah Response: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem attacked the talks as a “humiliating mistake,” while a separate report said Hezbollah’s evacuation of Ali al-Taher is being treated as a prerequisite for full implementation. Environmental Damage: Civil Defense in Nabatieh accused Israel of a deliberate arson campaign, with drone attacks on firefighters and major forest loss near Khiam. UK Security Support: The UK signed a £16.3m MoU to back Lebanon’s army and Internal Security Forces through a 31-month assistance program.