World Bank Projects Lebanon Economy Shrinking 6.4% After Hezbollah Returns to War With Israel

The Israeli enemy continues its aggressions against Lebanon, targeting several areas in the South. Meanwhile, the Lebanese officials show total indifference and resort to silence about the ongoing Zionist crimes, except for some fruitless condemnation statements. In this context, Al-Manar correspondent reported that “the Israeli enemy’s artillery targeted, on Sunday morning, the area located between the towns of Baraachit and Beit Yahoun in southern Lebanon.” Our correspondent pointed out that “the Israeli enemy’s artillery targeted the town of Al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon,” noting that “the Israeli enemy army carried out a detonation in the town of Zoutar El Charkiyeh, southern Lebanon.” Our correspondent also reported that “a hostile Israeli Merkava tank targeted the town of Al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon with a shell.” At dawn on Sunday, the enemy had carried out airstrikes and shelling targeting the vicinity of Mortafa’a Al-Dabsheh towards Douhat Kfarremman in southern Lebanon. Source: Al-Manar English Website

Air strikes, explosions, and phosphorus shelling... Israel continues its aggression in southern Lebanon Air raids, explosive operations, and artillery shelling targeted Nabatieh, Tyre, Bent Jbeil, and Marjayoun, including phosphorus shells in Nabatieh, as Israeli drones flew over the southern suburb of Beirut. Emre Demiral August 22, 2026 • Updated: August 22, 2026 ISTANBUL Istanbul / Anadolou News Agency Israel continued its aggression on Saturday against southern Lebanon, carrying out air raids, explosions, and artillery shelling that included the use of phosphorus shells, while its drones hovered over the southern suburb of Beirut. The operations targeted areas in the Nabatieh, Tyre, Bent Jbeil, and Marjayoun districts, according to the official Lebanese news agency. In the Nabatieh District, Israeli artillery heavily shelled the outskirts of the Dweih Kafr Rama area, the outskirts of Talat Al-Dibsha, and Harij Ali Al-Tahir, using phosphorus shells. Around 06:45 local time (03:45 GMT), Israeli warplanes conducted two air raids on Ali Al-Tahir elevated site at the northern outskirts of Nabatieh Al-Fouqa town. Later, the agency reported that the Israeli army targeted Harij Ali Al-Tahir with concentrated artillery fire, while carrying out a large explosion near the town of Arnoun. In the Tyre District, the towns of Al-Mansouri and the surroundings of Bayt Al-Siyad and the outskirts of Majdal Zon were subjected to intense Israeli artillery shelling at dawn and broad explosive operations. As an indicator of the level of destruction, the agency said there isn’t a single house left in Bayt Al-Siyad undestroyed due to ongoing Israeli explosions and shelling. On Saturday evening, Israeli shelling of Al-Mansouri caused fires to break out, and the Beit Sheik region in the town also experienced repeated attacks and explosions. The Israeli army carried out two explosions in Majdal Zoun and Kounin. In the Bent Jbeil District, the towns of Hadata and Beit Yaqun and Aita al-Jabal witnessed Israeli explosions, coinciding with sweeping by machine guns through the valleys surrounding them. The Israeli air force also launched two air strikes on the area between the towns of Sirbin and Rashaf, according to the same source. The agency added that an Israeli drone targeted a herdsman in the Wadi Sirbin in the Bent Jbeil District, injuring him. In the Marjayoun District of Nabatieh Governorate, the army conducted a large detonation in the town of Talosa. In the evening, the Israeli army blew up several houses in the area of Husheen on the western outskirts of Mais al-Jabal. The operations coincided with a continuous flight of Israeli drones over villages and towns in the western and central sectors of southern Lebanon. The surveillance extended to Beirut, as the agency reported at 09:00 GMT that an Israeli drone flew over the southern suburb. The agency did not immediately report casualties from the airstrikes, shelling, and explosions. These operations come despite Lebanon and Israel signing, on June 26, a framework agreement under American sponsorship, which provides for an Israeli withdrawal from the entire occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there, alongside the disarmament of armed groups, referring to "Hezbollah." Despite the agreement, Israel continues its aggression on Lebanon, which began on March 2, resulting in more than 4,000 dead and about 12,000 wounded, according to official Lebanese figures. Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since its previous aggression on the country between 2023 and 2024, while it penetrated during the current aggression into areas up to more than 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory. Air strikes, explosions, and phosphorus shelling... Israel continues its aggression in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army continued its operations in several sectors of South Lebanon on Saturday, with air strikes, artillery fire, and blasting operations in the Nabatieh, Marjayoun, Bint Jbeil, and Tyre districts. The Israeli army carried out this afternoon a major blasting operation in Taybeh, in the Marjayoun district. In Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district, an Israeli drone dropped a booby-trap bomb, and in Mansouri, in the Tyre district, Israeli artillery fire caused fires in several areas. The Israeli artillery also targeted the outskirts of Baraachit, in the Bint Jbeil district, while another blasting operation was conducted at Zaoutar el-Charqiyé, in the Nabatieh district. In Meiss el-Jabal, in the Marjeyoun district, Israeli forces were also continuing their mine and blast operations on the western part of the locality, accompanied by earthworks and fires affecting crops and trees. Israeli Air Force launched an air strike in the Srebbine valley, in the Bint Jbeil district, targeting two dwellings, while combat aircraft continued to fly over the region. In the Marjeyoun district, automatic weapon fire repeatedly targeted the outskirts of Adchit el-Qusair. Israeli artillery also bombarded the surroundings of Nabatieh el-Faouqa and the heights of Ali Taher. Artillery fire was finally reported repeatedly in Wadi al-Slouki, between the Bint Jbeil and Marjeyoun districts. Earlier in the day, a powerful explosion was caused by a blasting in Kfartebnit, in the Nabatieh district, whose effects were felt in several sectors of South Lebanon. Another major blasting also occurred at Talloussé (Marjeyoun). At dawn, the Israeli Air Force carried out two strikes on the heights of Ali Taher, on the northern outskirts of Nabatieh el-Faouqa, in the Nabatieh district. A strong explosion was also reported in Arnoun. In the Tyre district, an Israeli drone also dropped a bomb toward a shepherd in the Al-Ghadir area, on the outskirts of Sarbine. No injuries were reported. Another drone continued to fly over the southern suburbs of Beirut. A night of bombardments: During the night, the Israeli artillery intensified its fire across several sectors of the Nabatieh district, notably the outskirts of Dohat Kfar Remmane, the surroundings of the Dabché hill, and the Ali Taher heights. Phosphorus shells were reportedly used, according to local reports. In the Tyre district, Mansouri, the areas of Bouyout el-Sayyed and the outskirts of Majdel Zoun were subjected to intense artillery fire. Large blasting operations were also carried out in these three localities. Explosions were also reported in Haddatha, Beit Yahoun, and Aïta el-Jabal, in the Bint Jbeil district, accompanied by automatic weapon fire toward neighboring valleys. Israeli drones continued to fly over localities in the western and central sectors of the South. Strikes intensified on Friday: This new series of attacks comes after Friday evening strikes against several sectors of the South. The Israeli Air Force repeatedly targeted the heights of Ali Taher and the Deir district, in Nabatieh el-Faouqa, as well as the Dabché region, the surroundings of Zaoutar-Der Seriane, in the Marjeyoun district, and Mansouri’s orchards, in the Tyre district. Artillery fire, including some phosphorus, also targeted Ali Taher as combat aircraft flew over the region at low altitude.

Adeeb Farhat opened the package he had just received: two small paintings of landscapes from southern Lebanon and old magazines. The young film producer's passion for archives related to Lebanon's southern region ran deep, as evidenced by the boxes of old newspapers stacked in his Beirut office. But the intensity of demolitions carried out by Israel in the partly occupied south, he said, had sparked "a race between preserving memory and destruction." He himself had to evacuate some of his archives from Arab Salim, the town in southern Lebanon where he had been living since the outbreak of the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, a conflict that had been partially frozen since the ceasefire on June 20. Every day, however, the Israeli army detonates homes in the occupied zone and carries out airstrikes around the area. More than 20 border villages have been razed since an initial truce in April. Today, Adeeb Farhat searches for anything connected to the history of southern Lebanon, as well as to the latest conflict, for his archive collection. Photographs, objects, books or oral testimonies he himself collects; everything interests him. The southern region has endured decades of recurring wars linked to Israel, long before the emergence in the 1980s of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite armed movement. The South was also under Israeli occupation from 1978 to 2000, a period from which Adeeb Farhat has kept bilingual (Hebrew and Arabic) passes that had to be shown to the Lebanese militia responsible for administering the area on behalf of Israel. You have 74.16% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. By Laure Stephan(Beirut (Lebanon) correspondent) 4 min read Subscribers only Adeeb Farhat opened the package he had just received: two small paintings of landscapes from southern Lebanon and old magazines. The young film producer's passion for archives related to Lebanon's southern region ran deep, as evidenced by the boxes of old newspapers stacked in his Beirut office. But the intensity of demolitions carried out by Israel in the partly occupied south, he said, had sparked "a race between preserving memory and destruction." He himself had to evacuate some of his archives from Arab Salim, the town in southern Lebanon where he had been living since the outbreak of the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, a conflict that had been partially frozen since the ceasefire on June 20. Every day, however, the Israeli army detonates homes in the occupied zone and carries out airstrikes around the area. More than 20 border villages have been razed since an initial truce in April. Today, Adeeb Farhat searches for anything connected to the history of southern Lebanon, as well as to the latest conflict, for his archive collection. Photographs, objects, books or oral testimonies he himself collects; everything interests him. The southern region has endured decades of recurring wars linked to Israel, long before the emergence in the 1980s of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite armed movement. The South was also under Israeli occupation from 1978 to 2000, a period from which Adeeb Farhat has kept bilingual (Hebrew and Arabic) passes that had to be shown to the Lebanese militia responsible for administering the area on behalf of Israel. You have 74.16% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.

Lebanon’s economy is projected to shrink by 6.4% in 2026 after Hezbollah’s decision to return to war with Israel wiped out the early recovery achieved in 2025, according to the latest World Bank Lebanon Economic Monitor report. The report, titled “A Conflict-Torn Economy,” estimated that Lebanon’s real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 4.2% in 2025, marking its strongest growth since the onset of the country’s financial crisis in 2019. The 2025 recovery was driven by stronger private consumption, investment and tourism, alongside improvements in high-frequency economic indicators. However, the recovery was sharply interrupted by Hezbollah's decision to renew conflict in March 2026, which caused further damage to housing and infrastructure, displaced communities, disrupted supply chains, and weighed heavily on tourism and domestic demand. Around 360,000 people remain displaced, including at least 22,000 people living in collective shelters, according to UN figures, and over 700,000 people are still affected by damage to water infrastructure in parts of southern Lebanon. At the height of the conflict, the UN reported that 1.2 million people were internally displaced. The report estimates that the conflict will reduce GDP growth by 10.4 percentage points relative to a scenario without the conflict. The latest downturn comes after Lebanon’s economy already contracted by an estimated 5.2% in 2024. World Bank Group Middle East director warns war set back Lebanese recovery “Lebanon’s fragile recovery has been sharply set back by the renewed conflict, adding to an already severe social and economic crisis, advancing reforms - particularly on banking sector restructuring and fiscal management - will be critical to restoring confidence, protecting stability, and mobilizing the financing needed for reconstruction and recovery,” the World Bank Group Middle East Director Dahlia Khalifa said. Before Hezbollah's attacks on Israel renewed the war, in response to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Lebanon's economy was starting the long path to recovery. The second half of 2025 had seen construction permits and cement deliveries increase by 12.8% and 14%, respectively, compared with the first half of the year. Passenger arrivals, an indicator of tourism activity, had also increased by 24.5% over the same period. Beirut recorded an overall surplus of 3.9% of GDP in 2025, supported by improved tax compliance and stronger customs and VAT collection. However, the fiscal position is now expected to come under pressure from rising costs related to conflict-related humanitarian and reconstruction needs, pressure to increase public sector wages, and slowing revenue growth. Additionally, in 2025, Lebanon imported more than it exported, so its current account deficit grew, and disruptions to regional trade stemming from the Iran wars and other factors also saw oil prices reinforce the deficit. Lebanese public debt unsustainable, inflation expected to rise, report warns The report warned that, at its current level, the public debt is unsustainable, and inflation is also expected to rise to 17.5% by the end of 2026 as a result of war-related supply disruptions, higher shipping costs, and rising oil prices. With energy imports accounting for 23% of Lebanon’s total imports in 2025, Beirut’s continued dependence on imported fuel for electricity generation and transportation can only be expected to worsen the crisis, especially given the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite renewed inflationary pressures, the Lebanese pound has remained broadly stable, supported by foreign exchange reserves and tighter local-currency liquidity. The World Bank warned, however, that the exchange rate could come under renewed pressure if foreign inflows decline or conflict-related shocks persist. The World Bank said Lebanon’s banking sector remains deeply weakened despite progress on parts of the restructuring agenda, and stressed that banking-sector reform and stronger fiscal management will be essential to restoring confidence and mobilizing financing for reconstruction.

Supported by News analysis Who Has the Last Say in Lebanon? Hezbollah and the State Both Say They Do. President Joseph Aoun took office with a popular mandate to reassert control after the militant group dragged the country back into war with Israel. When Lebanese and Israeli officials sat down in April for their first direct talks in decades, Lebanon’s leaders called it a breakthrough: a chance, finally, to reclaim some control over the country’s fate after Hezbollah had dragged it into yet another war with Israel. But four months and seven rounds of negotiations later, there is little to show for it. The standstill is a blow to Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, who took office last year with a popular mandate to wrest power from Hezbollah. Mr. Aoun, elected by Lebanese lawmakers, pledged to restore the state’s monopoly on arms and curtail Hezbollah’s political sway. The government he formed spent much of last year making headway on that promise, working to strip Hezbollah’s influence from the country’s international airport, the commercial port in Beirut, and the banks, all used to smuggle in weapons and cash. When Hezbollah fired on Israel in March in solidarity with Iran, setting off another all-out war, the shortcomings of the efforts to bring the group to heel were laid bare. However much the Lebanese state had chipped away at Hezbollah’s influence, the group could still drag the country into war. Israel insists that its forces will remain in the large swath of southern Lebanon seized in this war until Hezbollah is disarmed. On Saturday, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported a series of Israeli airstrikes and demolitions overnight and into the morning in towns and villages around the south. Israeli forces have carried out demolitions and strikes nearly daily for about four months in areas they occupy. Hezbollah has denounced the talks, saying it will not consider surrendering its weapons until Israeli forces withdraw from Lebanese territory. And while Lebanese officials say they want to eliminate Hezbollah’s military might, the government has little ability, if any, to actually do so. Related Content Advertisement

The Lebanese News Agency for Information reported that Israeli warplanes carried out a strike in the evening on the town of Sirbin in the Bint Jbeil District, following two raids that targeted the area between Sirbin and Rsaf, while an Israeli drone targeted a herder in the Wadi Sirbin without recording any injury. The towns of Hadata, Beit Yahoun, and Eita al-Jabal in the same district witnessed wide-scale explosions carried out by the Israeli occupation army, along with shooting from automatic weapons toward the surrounding valleys. In the Tyre District, the Israeli air force carried out two strikes on the town of Al-Mansouri, while the town and the surroundings of Beit al-Siyad and the outskirts of Majdal Zoun came under artillery shelling that caused fires in Al-Mansouri. The occupation also carried out explosions that affected houses and facilities in Al-Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, Konin, and Beit al-Siyad, while the Lebanese Agency reported that the destruction of Beit al-Siyad had reached a point where a single house remained undestroyed. In the Nabatieh District, two Israeli airstrikes targeted the Tal Al-Taher elevation at the northern outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fouqa, concurrently with heavy artillery shelling that hit the edges of Duhayrat Kar Faisal (Duhat Kar Amman) and the area around Tal Al-Dabsha and Harj Ali al-Taher, using phosphorus shells. The Israeli operations also included the outskirts of Arnoun, where the army detonated a large explosion, while a series of other explosions affected houses and infrastructure in the towns of Talousa, Al-Qantara, and Al-Taybah in the Marjeyoun District, in addition to the surroundings of Qantara and the area of Houshin on the western outskirts of Mais al-Jabal. These attacks coincided with continuous drone surveillance by Israeli unmanned aircraft over the western and central sectors of southern Lebanon, before the surveillance extended to Beirut, where an Israeli drone was spotted over the southern suburbs. The Lebanese agency had not reported any information about casualties or injuries resulting from the raids, shelling, or explosions as of 19:45 GMT. These operations come despite Lebanon and Israel signing, on June 26 of the past year, a framework agreement under American auspices, which calls for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the entire occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there, along with the disarmament of armed groups, referring to Hezbollah. Despite the agreement, Israel’s aggression against Lebanon continues, which began on March 2 of the same year and has left more than 4,000 people dead and about 12,000 injured according to official Lebanese figures. Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since its previous aggression against the country between 2023 and 2024, while it penetrated during the current aggression into areas up to more than 10 kilometers deep inside Lebanese territory.

According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, Israeli artillery bombarded the outskirts of Dawhat Kfar Remman, the Dabsha hill, and the forests surrounding Ali al-Taher hill during the night of August 21 and early morning of August 22. NNA reported that Israel used phosphorus shells in these attacks. On August 22, around 6:45 a.m., Israeli fighter jets carried out two new airstrikes targeting Ali al-Taher hill. In other areas of southern Lebanon, Israeli artillery also targeted the city of Mansouri, the Bayt al-Sayyad region, and the outskirts of Majdal Zoun. Several explosions were reported in Hadatha, Beit Yahoun, and Aita al-Jabal. According to the NNA agency, houses in Bayt al-Sayyad sustained substantial damage. Two other airstrikes were carried out in the area between Sirbin and Rsheif. The NNA also indicated that Israeli drones were conducting ongoing operations over western and south-central Lebanon, including the area south of the capital, Beirut. These attacks come in a context of persistent tensions between Israel and Lebanon, following the resumption of large-scale fighting in March. Israel states that these military operations aim to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its capabilities and armed presence near the border, while Lebanon demands that Israel cease attacks and withdraw all its forces from its territory. Israel has not commented on the NNA report regarding the use of phosphorus shells during the August 22 bombardment.

The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pac, warned on Saturday that any country participating in imposing economic sanctions on Iran will be regarded as a "foe", following the United States' announcement of tightened economic sanctions on Tehran. In a statement to the Iranian state television, Pac said: "We tell all neighboring countries and all the countries of the world: Do not join the economic war waged by the United States." The Iranian official threatened to close the Persian Gulf, like the Strait of Hormuz, and to prevent the passage of "a single drop of oil" from the region if regional countries support the United States in its economic war against Iran. Pac also accused U.S. President Donald Trump of pursuing "impulsive policies" that he said have increased the global desire to possess nuclear weapons. The comments come amid escalating U.S. pressure on Tehran through tightening economic sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on the Iranian economy. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump said the Iranians want a deal but are not ready to strike the "right deal," stressing that military options against Iran remain on the table. He emphasized the importance of the economic sanctions imposed on Iran, while at the same time confirming that military options against Tehran remain on the table. Meanwhile, Israel continued its aggression in southern Lebanon on Saturday, carrying out airstrikes and broad bombing operations targeting homes and infrastructure, along with artillery shelling that included phosphorus shells, as Israeli drones flew over the southern suburb of Beirut. The Israeli attacks affected areas in the districts of Bint Jbeil, Tyre, Nabatieh, and Marjayoun, according to the Lebanese National News Agency. In the latest developments, Israeli warplanes carried out an air raid on the town of Sirben in the district of Bint Jbeil on Saturday evening, after two strikes earlier in the afternoon on the area between the towns of Sirben and Rishaf. In the same district, an Israeli drone targeted a shepherd in Wadi Sirben, with no information on injuries reported. Modern towns of Haddatha, Beit Yahoun, and Eita al-Jabal witnessed wide Israeli bombing operations, coinciding with a sweep using automatic weapons over the surrounding valleys. In the Tyre district, the evening airstrike targeted the town of al-Manzuri. Al-Manzuri and the outskirts of the towns Beit Siyad and Atar Majdal Zoun were subjected to artillery shelling by Israel, causing fires in al-Manzuri. The Israeli army also carried out a series of explosions targeting homes and infrastructure in the towns of al-Manzuri, Majdal Zoun, Konin, and Beit Siyad. The Israeli daily Maariv reported on Sunday that the Israeli army has consumed in about three years of war on the Gaza Strip a quantity of ammunition equivalent to what it used in the previous thirty years, reflecting extensive military and human depletion within its ranks. The report discussed the state of the Israeli army after years of war and the future of U.S. military aid to Tel Aviv. Maariv said that air force aircraft conducted in the past three years an air activity equivalent to what is normally conducted in nine years. It added that tanks and armored personnel carriers had already consumed thousands of engines, while the ammunitions used by the army in the period equaled the amount fired in the thirty years preceding the war. The report argued that equipment can be replaced and repaired, but that the depletion of people is far harder to fix. Iranian President Eshaq (Eshaq) Raisi admitted on Sunday that Iranian society is facing several difficulties, as the United States intends to tighten its pressure on the Islamic Republic’s economy by imposing a new round of sanctions. In a speech broadcast on state television, Raisi said: "I realize that our society is currently facing several difficulties, and we are doing our best to avoid worsening the situation." These remarks come as the United States is threatening to tighten economic sanctions on Iran on Thursday to push the regime toward collapse, about six months after the outbreak of the war with the first US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February. Raisi commented on the American statements, saying: "We are facing a total war on economic, military, and security fronts. And (President Donald Trump) openly boasts of imposing the harshest or most crushing sanctions on Iran." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a press release on Sunday that Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday. He noted that the visit comes as part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and security in the region. Pakistan plays the role of mediator in negotiations between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the war between them. On Sunday, the Iranian judiciary announced the execution of a man convicted of carrying out "operations" for Israel and the United States during anti-government protests that shook the country in January, amid a rise in executions linked to those events. The Mizan Online outlet of the judiciary reported that Majid Adineh was convicted of two charges: carrying out "operations in favor of enemy groups and the Zionist regime and the United States" and "treason by deliberately setting fires and gathering and conspiring to commit crimes against the country’s internal security." The outlet added that "based on documents and substantial evidence filed in the case and statements by the defendant, the Revolutionary Court in Karaj sentenced him to execution and confiscation of all his properties." The Arab News channel correspondent in Tehran, Hossam Diab, said Sunday that the statements by Ayatollah Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, topped the scene in recent hours, especially regarding Iranian threats to the United States and the countries that might contribute to the economic campaign that Washington intends to impose on Tehran. Diab explained that Rezaei’s statements came in his first lengthy interview since his recent appointment to the post by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as part of a series of appointments at the military and security levels and in senior positions in the Iranian system. He added that Rezaei spoke in a harsh tone regarding the economic side, reflecting, according to Diab, his military background and his position within Iranian military and security institutions, as well as his experience in the executive apparatus and successive governments, having held the Secretariat of the Expediency Discernment Council for about 13 years. The head of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, revealed that Tehran has received messages from neighboring countries about regional issues. Ghalibaf explained that Iran has received multiple messages regarding formulating new security arrangements and regional economic cooperation, adding that this paves the way for an independent regional system capable of establishing peace and security in the region, as he put it. The Lebanese National News Agency reported on Saturday that the Israeli occupation carried out a large explosion in the town of Hadatha in southern Lebanon. The agency said the explosion caused a loud blast that echoed across southern areas. The Egyptian Suez Canal Authority announced on Saturday a noticeable increase in the passage of container ships belonging to the global Maersk company, coinciding with the restoration of many navigational services operating on the Europe-Asia trade route. Suez Canal Authority head Osama Rabie stated that on Saturday the container ship Bangkok Maersk passed through the canal on its maiden voyage through the northern convoy from Italy to Singapore. The vessel belongs to Maersk and has a capacity of 190,000 tons, according to the statement. In line with the protocol followed by the Suez Canal Authority for handling ships passing the canal for the first time, Rabie delegated Captain Hisham Hilmi, Senior Pilot Excellent, and Captain Jalal Shiba, Senior Pilot, to board the vessel, welcome its crew, and present the captain with a commemorative gift. Raisi said in a televised address: "I realize that our society is currently facing several difficulties, and we are doing our utmost to prevent the situation from worsening." These remarks come as the United States on Thursday vowed to tighten economic sanctions on Iran to push the regime toward collapse, about six months after the start of the war with the initial US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February. Raisi commented on the American statements, saying: "We face a comprehensive war on economic, military, and security fronts. And (President Donald Trump) openly boasted of imposing the harshest or most crushing sanctions on Iran." The Mizan Online outlet reported that Majid Adineh was convicted of two charges: carrying out "operations in favor of enemy groups and the Zionist regime and the United States" and "treason by deliberately setting fires and gathering and conspiring to commit crimes against the country’s internal security." The outlet added that "based on documents and substantial evidence filed in the case and statements by the accused, the Revolutionary Court in Karaj sentenced him to execution and confiscation of all his properties."

Translation of TEXT_1: Note: The provided TEXT_1 is in Arabic and appears to be a long_news report with multiple sections. Here is a faithful translation into US English: Scope of the Range Translation Israeli forces continued overnight into Saturday morning to bombard several areas in southern Lebanon, while carrying out air raids and intensive bombardment operations that used phosphor shells. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the towns of Al-Mansouri, surrounding areas of Beit Seyad, and the outskirts of Majdal Zoun had been subjected to heavy shelling since the early hours of dawn. The Israeli forces also shelled Doheh Kufar Ruman, around Tel al-Dibsha, and Harij Ali al-Tahtir, using phosphor shells. At the same time, Israeli warplanes carried out two airstrikes on Saturday morning targeting Ali al-Tahtir hill, located on the northern outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fouqa, while the army conducted extensive shelling operations in the vicinity of Arnoun and the towns of Al-Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, and Beit Seyad. Bombings also targeted the towns of Hadata, Beit Yahoun, and Eta al-Jabal in southern Lebanon. These Israeli attacks were accompanied by continuous drone flights over villages and towns in the western and central sectors of southern Lebanon. In a phone call on Friday, the Lebanese president, Joune H., and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed the continuation of Israeli strikes on Lebanon and stressed the need to implement the framework agreement reached during the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations. According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, the two sides emphasized the importance of pressing Israel to commit to implementing the framework agreement reached during the talks hosted by Washington. The Vatican expresses concern about Lebanon Pope Leo XIV met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, while the Vatican expressed concern about the difficulties in implementing the border agreement supported by the United States between Lebanon and Israel. After his meeting with the Pope on August 20, Aoun also met Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Foreign Minister, to discuss the “Tri-Party Framework Agreement” signed by the United States, Israel, and Lebanon, which aims to achieve stability on the southern border of the Lebanese Republic and to establish a just and lasting peace, according to the Vatican’s statement. The statement noted: "While expressing satisfaction with the signing of the document, the Holy See expressed deep concern about the difficulties in its implementation and affirmed its support for efforts to achieve this goal." The 14-point agreement, mediated by the United States and signed on June 26, outlines a phased roadmap to end hostilities in southern Lebanon, including disarming the Iranian-supported Hezbollah and ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Starting date of hostilities The conflict began on March 2 after Hezbollah fired missiles toward Israel in response to the US-Israeli attack on Iran. Despite a ceasefire, Israel continued air strikes on southern Lebanon, insisting they were in response to attacks by Hezbollah, which rejected the call for Hezbollah’s disarmament. According to a report from the Lebanese Ministry of Health on August 19, the conflict since its outbreak has killed more than 4,300 people and injured more than 12,300 others. In a separate statement published on August 20, the Lebanese presidency said President Aoun, during a 30-minute meeting with Pope Leo, expressed gratitude for the Pope’s “all efforts” to support Lebanon in achieving its demands to end the Israeli occupation and assaults on its lands. Lebanon seeks Vatican assistance Aoun also asked the Pope to continue supporting Lebanon to compel Israel to implement the framework provisions. In his meeting with Cardinal Parolin and Archbishop Gallagher, Aoun provided an update on the Israeli assaults on Lebanese villages, infrastructure, and civilians, according to the statement. The statement read: "During the two meetings, President Aoun expressed Lebanon’s appreciation to the Vatican for all its efforts to support the country after the Pope’s recent visit to Lebanon." The statement added that Aoun urged the Holy See to back Lebanon in achieving a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese-occupied lands, paving the way for the reconstruction of what Israel destroyed and the return of displaced people to their lands and villages. The Lebanese president also stressed that "these steps must be accompanied by the Lebanese state’s full control over its territory and the resolution of war and peace to be decided solely by it, as this is the only way to ensure security and stability on the borders." World Bank warns of economic consequences for Lebanon Separately, the World Bank projected that Lebanon’s economy would shrink by 6.4% in 2026 due to renewed conflict, eroding the fragile momentum of stability and recovery achieved in 2025, according to the latest issue of the Lebanon Economic Monitor. The report affirmed that despite Lebanon continuing to face humanitarian needs and urgent reconstruction, progress on reforms remains essential to restore confidence, revive growth, and support a sustainable rebound. The Summer 2026 report, titled “A Economy Torn by Conflicts,” noted that Lebanon began 2026 in a relatively better economic position after achieving 4.2% real GDP growth in 2025—the fastest since the 2019 financial crisis—revising earlier forecasts upward. This recovery was based on improved consumption, investment, and tourism, along with positive near-term economic indicators, but this momentum was sharply reversed by the escalation of the conflict in March 2026, which caused further damage to housing and infrastructure, led to displacement, disrupted supply chains, and adversely affected the tourism sector and domestic demand. Causalities of Israeli attacks The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 4,348 people and injured more than 12,300 others. It added that the total toll of Israeli attacks since the current escalation began on October 8, 2023, reached 8,915 killed and more than 30,540 injured. Source: press and global agencies.

Monte Carlo International / MCD Your personal data, your choices, our responsibility We and our partners use cookies or similar technologies to access non-sensitive information and store it, such as your IP address. Processing your data, for example, allows us to improve your user experience, measure site readership, social network features, and display personalized ads. By clicking "Accept" you agree to the use of cookies by France Médias Monde and its partners. You can modify your choices at any time via "Manage cookies". Alongside our partners, we process the following data based on your consent: Storage and/or access to information on a device, targeted ads and content, ad and content performance measurement, audience insights and service development Settings refuse accept Skip to main content [] (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/...20260823-Israel-strikes-southern-Lebanon-with-phosphorus-munitions-and-clears-homes-02) [] (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/...20260823-Israel-strikes-southern-Lebanon-with-phosphorus-munitions-and-clears-homes-02) [] (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/...20260823-Israel-strikes-southern-Lebanon-with-phosphorus-munitions-and-clears-homes-02) Israel bombs southern Lebanon with phosphorus shells and continues to mine and demolish homes Israel continues its military escalation in southern Lebanon by intensifying its air raids and shelling, and continues demolishing buildings. Published on: 23/08/2026 - 10:04 Reading time Listen - 00:58 Smoke rises from the site of Israeli air raids targeting the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on June 20, 2026. Smoke rises from the site of Israeli air raids targeting the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on June 20, 2026. AFP - ABBAS FAKIH Reported by: Valentina Samaan - South Lebanon Announcement Read more Notably in Tila al-Dubsha and Douha Karamaneh, which received the largest share of phosphorus shells and artillery shelling, which also affected Ha’yr Hadash and Barhashit, causing fires in al-Mansouriyah. While warplanes carried out raids on al-Mansouri and the area between Sirpbin and al-Shuqayf, a drone targeted a shepherd in Wadi Sirbin without injuring him. The most damaged towns in the south were the mining and demolishing of homes, with large explosions carried out in Talosa, al-Tayba, al-Qantara, Zuṭur al-Sharqiyeh and Kef Tabniyat, while similar operations affected residents of al-Mansouri, Majdal Zun, Qounin, Bent Jbeil, and reached Mays al-Jabal, coinciding with land clearing and burning of trees and crops. The news newsletter highlights international events every morning Subscribe Stay constantly updated with international news wherever you are. Monte Carlo International app [] (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/...20260823-Israel-strikes-southern-Lebanon-with-phosphorus-munitions-and-clears-homes-02) [] (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/...20260823-Israel-strikes-southern-Lebanon-with-phosphorus-munitions-and-clears-homes-02) Subscribe : Share : Around the same topic Israel bombs southern Lebanon with phosphorus shells and continues to mine and demolish homes Audio content Tom Barak links Israeli raid on Abu al-Zuhour to "electoral calculations".. and Katz responds Audio content "Palestine is fading before our eyes"; a hundred former French and British ambassadors urge pressure on Israel The confrontation with Turkey is no longer unlikely in Israel... and Tom Barak’s remarks anger Katz Tehran grants Iraqi tankers an exemption to pass through the Hormuz Strait Has the Iraqi government backed down from the deadline to consolidate weapon control by the end of September? Gaza: Israeli raids kill Palestinians and Hamas warns of breakdown of the agreement For day 14: Israeli siege of 3 houses in Qasra and turning one into a military post and imposing a curfew Continued Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon.. and Salam confirms: deployment of the army is the return of state sovereignty Audio content Occupied West Bank: one Palestinian killed by Israeli army fire and another by settlers Audio content Turkey’s posture in Syria worries Israel.. is Ankara heading toward direct confrontation with Tel Aviv? Audio content Live with a reporter Saudi Crown Prince travels to France: Saudi-French Partners Council.. and Hormuz and Gaza on the agenda Turkey issues an international arrest warrant for Netanyahu and the latter replies: "Erdogan is a anti-Semitic dictator" Audio content Read more about the same topics: Southern Lebanon Israel Hezbollah Lebanon Queue Your playlist is empty Explore our radio series 15 15 Download audio file Share audio file Queue Page unavailable The content you are trying to browse is no longer in service or currently unavailable.