Morning update
Good morning Middle East Eye readers,
Israel launched new attacks on southern Lebanon just hours after US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Beirut.
Some of the attacks included two strikes that targeted the town of Touline, while another hit Khirbet Selm. Artillery shelling was also reported on the outskirts of Touline. Israeli warplanes also hit Majdal Zoun, a town located in Tyre.
Here are the latest developments:
Israeli Ambassador to the US, who heads his envoy in talks with Lebanon, said that Beirut "has not fulfilled its commitments to dismantle terrorist infrastructure". He added that "Lebanon must recognize the temporary presence of the IDF and Israel's right to defend itself against a hostile force firing at its population".
An Iranian cargo ship, carrying rice, reached port safely after the US reportedly attempted to seize it in the Oman Sea, Iranian media reported.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN said that the ceasefire situation with Lebanon was "not 100 percent" following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a three-week extension. "Every time we see a threat, we take action," Danny Danon said in a televised interview.
A report published by The New York Times said that the war in Iran has significantly depleted a huge portion of the US military's global ammunition stockpile. While White House officials have not estimated exact costs, two independent groups say the costs ranges between $28b to $35b or just under $1 billion a day.
A survey conducted by the Israeli outlet Maariv found that nearly half of Israelis (42 percent) believe that US President Donald Trump's decision in extending the ceasefire with Iran is the wrong decision. In contrast, around 28 percent agree with the move while 30 percent remain unsure.