Israeli says it killed Hezbollah’s no. 2 leader in Lebanon airstrike

Pope Leo XIV has commenced his visit to Lebanon, marking the second leg of his inaugural international trip as pontiff, where he is engaging with Christian communities amid ongoing economic challenges and heightened security concerns in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a formal pardon amid an ongoing corruption trial, following support from former President Donald Trump, who suggested Netanyahu should be pardoned. In a video address, Netanyahu expressed that the trial is causing significant internal divisions within the country.

Israel is contemplating an increase in airstrikes on Syria following a deadly clash during a terror raid that resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to IDF soldiers. The raid targeted a village near the border, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.

The parents of Ran Gvili, an Israeli policeman and one of the two remaining slain hostages in Gaza, have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay the next phase of the US-brokered cease-fire with Hamas until their son's body is returned. This plea highlights the emotional toll on families affected by the ongoing conflict and the complexities surrounding hostage situations in negotiations.

Israeli forces opened fire on two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, resulting in their deaths after they appeared to surrender. The incident, captured on video by Palestine TV, has drawn attention as Israel claims the men were involved in terror activities, with an investigation currently underway regarding the circumstances of the shooting.