Israeli troops have captured a strategic hilltop in southern Lebanon that hosts the historic Beaufort Castle. The Israeli military announced on Sunday that this marks the country’s deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than 25 years. According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, the army is focusing on consolidating control over the Beaufort Castle and the nearby Saluki River area.

The fortress, located near the city of Nabatieh, has been a focal point of several major clashes since Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Before taking control of the site, Israeli forces carried out days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages, engaging in heavy battles with Hezbollah fighters. Reports said that control was achieved after heavy shelling and fighting from both ground and air.

The report also noted that Israel and Lebanon have remained in conflict since the establishment of the Israeli state in 1948, underscoring the long-standing hostilities between Tel Aviv and Beirut.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi firmly rejected Beijing’s accusation that Tokyo is embracing a ‘new militarism,’ during his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday. He criticized China’s rapid military buildup and lack of transparency, saying such actions are a growing concern for Japan and the international community. Koizumi argued that Japan, which possesses no nuclear weapons or strategic bombers, is unfairly labeled while others with vast arsenals face no such criticism.

Koizumi emphasized Japan’s post–World War II record of respecting international law, upholding the UN Charter, and supporting a free and open international order. His comments came after China’s foreign ministry urged Asia-Pacific nations to resist Japan’s alleged militarist resurgence. At the same forum, Chinese Major General Meng Xiangqing questioned Japan’s credibility in defense cooperation, citing its wartime legacy.

Koizumi expressed regret that he could not meet his Chinese counterpart but reaffirmed Japan’s readiness for dialogue. He said Japan is determined to play a new role in regional defense cooperation and strengthen deterrence, following Tokyo’s recent easing of its long-standing arms export restrictions.

Egypt has expressed full solidarity with Lebanon and reaffirmed its commitment to stand by Beirut. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made a strong call for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory during a phone conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

During the call, Abdelatty emphasized that any violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty constitutes a serious breach of international law. He urged the immediate and total withdrawal of Israeli military forces from all Lebanese regions. The minister also stressed the importance of strengthening Lebanon’s national army, asserting that Egypt fully supports the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Abdelatty further stated that maintaining law, order, and sovereignty should be the sole responsibility of the Lebanese state and its army, not of any armed groups such as Hezbollah. The statement reflects Egypt’s firm stance on upholding Lebanon’s sovereignty and promoting state authority over non-state actors.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing offensive in southern Lebanon, describing it as a devastating act of aggression. In a televised address delivered ahead of a new round of negotiations mediated by the United States, he called for an immediate ceasefire and warned that Israel’s so-called “scorched-earth policy” would not ensure its security.

The statement followed Israel’s warning for civilians to evacuate the area, after which Tel Aviv launched renewed attacks across southern Lebanon. Salam emphasized that his government had consciously chosen the path of dialogue as the most responsible and appropriate option to protect Lebanon and its people.

The “scorched-earth policy” refers to a destructive military tactic aimed at denying the enemy access to resources, food, or infrastructure during retreat or defense. The remarks highlight Lebanon’s preference for diplomatic engagement amid escalating regional tensions.

The United States has warned that it is prepared to resume military action against Iran if a peace agreement is not reached under President Donald Trump’s strict conditions. Trump stated that any deal must ensure Iran will never develop nuclear weapons, calling it one of his key red lines. According to AFP, White House officials said Trump is close to a decision on a possible agreement but has not yet given final approval. Iran, meanwhile, has confirmed that no final understanding has been reached to end the conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in Singapore that Washington is fully prepared to restart the war if necessary, emphasizing that US military assets are ready. The US Central Command announced on social media that its forces remain deployed and on alert across the region. Despite a ceasefire in effect since April, sporadic clashes continue, and Iran claimed to have downed a US-Israeli drone.

Diplomatic talks are ongoing, including discussions on halting the conflict in Lebanon, which Iran insists must be part of any agreement. Israeli forces have reportedly advanced further inside Lebanon.

An Israeli soldier was killed and four others were injured during a military operation in southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the Israeli military. The deceased soldier was 21 years old. The incident occurred on Saturday, though the military did not release further details about the operation or the circumstances of the attack.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the soldier died in a drone strike, while the four injured soldiers are receiving medical treatment. Following the incident, Israeli authorities launched an investigation to determine the source and nature of the attack.

The clash comes amid escalating tensions and frequent confrontations between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the Lebanon border, which have resulted in casualties on both sides, according to the report.

Israel has launched a large-scale military operation in southern Lebanon, focusing on the Shebaa Farms and Wadi al-Saluki areas. Army spokesperson Ela Waweya said the operation aims to destroy what Israel calls 'terrorist infrastructure' and strengthen operational control in the region. The campaign, which began several days earlier, involves ground forces expanding the front line and extending attacks north of the Litani River against Hezbollah. Israeli troops are also operating near Nabatieh and are prepared to widen the offensive if necessary.

According to Al Jazeera, Israeli forces are attempting to encircle the city of Nabatieh while conducting heavy bombardment and airstrikes toward other towns. Since the beginning of the campaign, Israel has declared the entire southern region of Lebanon a conflict zone and warned residents to move north of the Zahrani River. The escalation has intensified an already severe humanitarian crisis, with more than one million people reportedly displaced by the ongoing Israeli offensive.

The situation in southern Lebanon remains volatile as Israeli operations continue to expand into new areas, raising concerns about further civilian displacement and regional instability.

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has killed nine Syrian refugees from the same family, including six children, despite a ceasefire being in effect. The attack occurred near the city of Sidon in the Adloun area, where Israeli warplanes struck a residential building. Lebanon’s state news agency reported that civilians were living in the building, and the health ministry confirmed that all the bodies recovered from the rubble belonged to one family.

The ceasefire, initially brokered through indirect U.S. mediation and extended for 45 days from May 17, has not halted Israeli operations in Lebanon. Israel continues to carry out airstrikes and military actions in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and areas under Hezbollah influence, claiming to target Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and weapons depots. Lebanese authorities and human rights groups, however, report rising civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

In recent months, hundreds have been killed in Israeli attacks across Lebanon, including women, children, and medical workers. Hezbollah has also continued rocket and drone strikes into northern Israel, keeping border tensions high despite the ceasefire.

Iran has unveiled a new high-speed attack vessel capable of launching cruise missiles. According to the semi-official Fars news agency, the unveiling took place at Tehran’s Enqelab Square, where the Iranian military introduced the vessel named ‘27 Rajab’. The report stated that the vessel can reach speeds of up to 100 knots, equivalent to 185 kilometers per hour, and is designed for long-range cruise missile operations.

Fars described the new vessel as a symbol of Iran’s growing maritime military capability. The development underscores Tehran’s continued focus on strengthening its naval forces amid regional security challenges.

In a separate statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had shot down a U.S. drone that allegedly entered Iranian airspace over regional waters for a hostile mission, according to the same report.

US President Donald Trump stated that the airstrike on Iran was carried out to protect Israel. In an interview with Fox News, he said that if the United States had not launched a B-2 bomber attack on Iran nine months earlier, the country might have already developed nuclear weapons. According to Trump, such a scenario could have led to the loss of Israel and destabilized the Middle East.

Discussing his next steps on Iran, Trump said the United States was close to reaching a 'great deal' that would save many lives and allow the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after signing. He described Iran’s leadership as tough negotiators but claimed the US was gradually achieving its objectives.

Trump added that he was not in a hurry to finalize the deal, emphasizing that rushing could lead to a poor agreement. He concluded that if the desired outcome was not reached, the US would end the matter through other means.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it has shot down a United States military drone that allegedly entered Iranian airspace. According to an IRGC statement, the MQ-1 drone was detected early in the morning as it crossed regional waters and entered Iran’s skies with the intention of conducting a hostile mission. The drone was reportedly destroyed by a modern defense missile system operated by the Revolutionary Guard.

The IRGC emphasized that any act of aggression against Iran would be met with firm retaliation. The statement did not specify the exact location of the incident or provide details about possible casualties or debris recovery. The report was originally carried by Al Jazeera.

The incident highlights continuing tensions between Iran and the United States over military operations and surveillance in the region, though no immediate response from the US side was mentioned in the report.

Iran has declared full control over the Strait of Hormuz and issued strict navigation directives for all commercial and military vessels. According to a statement published in Iranian media by the country’s central military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbia, all ships, including tankers, must follow designated routes and obtain permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. Tehran warned that any violation of these rules would put the safety of the vessels at serious risk.

The statement also cautioned foreign military forces operating in the area, saying that any attempt to interfere with maritime management or navigation would be met with action. The announcement underscores Iran’s assertion of authority over one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, through which a significant portion of global maritime trade passes.

The warning signals heightened tension in the region, as Iran reinforces its control and issues clear restrictions on naval movement through the strait.

A memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire between the United States and Iran has reached its final stage, but it still awaits the formal approval of US President Donald Trump. Despite holding a key meeting with his advisers in the White House Situation Room on Friday, Trump left without making a final decision on the proposed framework for extending the truce.

Earlier reports indicated that both nations were close to finalizing the agreement, which would not only prolong the current ceasefire but also potentially reopen the Strait of Hormuz and initiate discussions on resolving nuclear issues. However, none of these developments have yet materialized.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking from Singapore on Saturday, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement but confirmed that the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would remain until the deal is finalized. He emphasized that the United States remains fully prepared to resume military action if necessary and that its regional military posture is stronger than ever.

Newly released satellite images have revealed a vast military installation under construction in China’s Xinjiang desert, sparking renewed international concern. The octagonal complex, located near a long-range missile center, includes hundreds of bunkers, missile launch pads, and other military structures. Analysts suggest the facility is part of Beijing’s plan to strengthen its strategic nuclear capabilities and ensure retaliatory capacity in the event of a conflict with the United States.

The imagery, analyzed by Reuters, shows the development of command centers, barracks, transport routes, and an airbase, indicating that the site is evolving into a full-scale military complex rather than a simple weapons depot. According to experts, China already possesses long-range missiles capable of striking multiple U.S. cities, and the new underground infrastructure aims to protect and sustain these weapons after potential attacks.

The construction comes amid heightened U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan. A recent Pentagon report noted China’s goal to amass 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030, adding further speculation about the purpose and scale of the Xinjiang facilities.

The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has reached 72,938, with 172,919 others injured, according to the latest update from Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry reported that in the past 24 hours, hospitals received seven bodies, including six killed in recent strikes and one who died from earlier injuries. Another 25 wounded individuals were admitted for treatment.

The ministry stated that Israeli assaults have continued even after a declared ceasefire that took effect on October 11. Since then, at least 929 Palestinians have been killed and 2,811 injured. Rescue teams are still searching through rubble and previously inaccessible areas, recovering 781 bodies so far.

Health authorities warned that the actual number of casualties could be higher, as many people are believed to remain trapped under debris. The report underscores the scale of destruction and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.