Netanyahu Orders IDF to Seize 70% of Gaza as US-Iran Truce Awaits Trump Approval (May 29, 0630 UTC, 0930 Israel) (Morning Edition)

IDF Soldier Killed by Hezbollah Drone as Troops Capture Beaufort Castle (May 31, 0633 UTC, 0933 Israel) (Morning Edition)

An IDF soldier was killed and four wounded by a Hezbollah explosive drone in southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces captured the strategic Beaufort Castle and advanced within 5 km of Nabatieh. Hezbollah launched rocket barrages at Kiryat Shmona and other northern Israeli communities, prompting school closures. The US struck a ship breaching the blockade near Iran, and the US-Iran deal remains unresolved with new US demands.

IDF Reaches Nabatieh as Hezbollah Fires Rockets at Safed and Nahariya (May 30, 1532 UTC, 1832 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Israeli ground forces advanced to the outskirts of Nabatieh, one of southern Lebanon’s largest cities, marking the deepest IDF push since 2006. Hezbollah responded with rocket barrages targeting Safed, Nahariya, and Kiryat Shmona, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF warned of potential increased rocket fire as operations expand. In Gaza, Hamas warned of a ‘dangerous escalation’ after Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the seizure of 70% of the Strip, while Egypt raced to salvage the ceasefire. The US-Iran deal remained unresolved, with Defense Secretary Hegseth stating the US is ready to restart strikes if no agreement is reached.

Hezbollah Rockets Hit Kiryat Shmona as IDF Orders Evacuations in Southern Lebanon (May 30, 0708 UTC, 1008 Israel) (Morning Edition)

Hezbollah fired multiple rocket salvos at northern Israel overnight, with one projectile striking a shopping center in Kiryat Shmona and causing damage but no injuries. The IDF intercepted several rockets and issued new evacuation warnings for seven villages in southern Lebanon, while Israeli airstrikes and drone strikes continued across the south. The US-Iran deal remains unresolved after a White House Situation Room meeting ended without a decision, and Iran denied any final understanding has been reached.

Trump Situation Room Meeting Ends Without Decision on Iran Deal as Hezbollah Claims Multiple Attacks (May 29, 2137 UTC, 0037 Israel) (Morning Edition)

President Trump convened a two-hour Situation Room meeting on a potential Iran deal but made no final decision, with the White House saying it is 'very close' but unresolved. Iran denied a deal is finalized and rejected terms including uranium transfer and Hormuz tolls. Hezbollah claimed over 20 attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, while the IDF confirmed troops crossed the Litani River and struck Hezbollah targets. The UN blacklisted Israel for conflict-related sexual violence for the first time.

Netanyahu Confirms IDF Crossed Litani as US-Iran Truce Hangs on Trump Approval (May 29, 1516 UTC, 1816 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed IDF troops of the 36th Division crossed the Litani River and advanced to strategic points in southern Lebanon, while the IDF struck Hezbollah targets across the south and in the Bekaa Valley. The US and Iran reached a tentative 60-day ceasefire memorandum of understanding, pending President Trump's approval, though both sides publicly disputed its contents. In Gaza, Netanyahu ordered the IDF to expand control to 70% of the Strip, violating the October ceasefire, and the IDF eliminated the deputy commander of Hamas's Gaza City Brigade. The UN added Israel to its sexual-violence-in-conflict blacklist, drawing sharp Israeli condemnation.