🇮🇱 ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY: Israel marks 78 years of independence as nationwide celebrations begin. The day comes with a message of resilience, strength, and purpose across the country.
To all Israel RealTime followers and the entire people of Israel: May we be blessed with unity, strength, and victory. Am Yisrael Chai!
❗️ U.S. SANCTIONS ON IRAN: The U.S.: Treasury Department announced new sanctions against Iran. The move comes as Tehran publicly links future negotiations to the lifting of pressure on its ports.
‼️ IRAN SETS CONDITIONS FOR FURTHER TALKS: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: "Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire. Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation. Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying." Iran's UN Envoy said: "We have made it clear that breaking the siege is a fundamental condition, and only then will the next round of negotiations be held."
⚠️ U.S. SIGNALS UNCERTAINTY IF TALKS DO NOT TAKE PLACE: A US official told AP: "It's impossible to predict what will happen if the ceasefire ends without a meeting being held in Islamabad. Trump has other options short of resuming airstrikes on Iran".
🛡️ HEZBOLLAH CLAIMS ATTACKS ON IDF FORCES AND POSITIONS: The terror group says it launched a rocket barrage and attack drones at an Israeli artillery position in Kfar Giladi, describing the attack as a response to what it says were Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon.
In its statement, Hezbollah says it documented over 200 Israeli violations since the ceasefire took effect on Friday and says the attacks were carried out in response to those violations and its "right to resist occupation and repel it."
🚸 RESIDENTS REPORTEDLY FLEE SOUTHERN LEBANON: Lebanese channels report residents heading north toward Beirut and Sidon amid fears of an imminent IDF response following Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire.
🇱🇧 LEBANON SIGNALS INTERNAL PRESSURE ON HEZBOLLAH: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said: "We do not seek a confrontation with Hezbollah, but we will not allow it to intimidate us. We cannot have a sovereign state if we have more than one army". He also said he wants all IDF troops removed from Lebanese territory, the return of all war prisoners within the context of the talks with Israel, and around €500 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon.
🇫🇷 MACRON BACKS TALKS, CALLS FOR HEZBOLLAH DISARMAMENT, AND PRESSURES ISRAEL: French President Emmanuel Macron received Lebanon's Prime Minister at the Elysée earlier this afternoon. During the meeting, Macron said: "Israel must renounce their territorial claims and Hezbollah must be disarmed by Lebanon... Negotiations must be given a chance amidst this fragile peace.
We can't let war retake its rights." Macron also offered a French military presence in Lebanon after the UNIFIL mission ends as planned on December 31, 2026. He is also threatening to cut the 1995 EU-Israel agreement if Israel "doesn't change their policy".
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