Saudi Arabia and France reaffirm support for Palestinian statehood

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have released a joint statement following their meeting in Paris. The statements on Lebanon outlines the following:

• On Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and France agreed to intensify efforts towards a final settlement, strengthen state institutions, and preserve the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• They also called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the complete disarmament of all armed groups outside state control, and for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.

See also under Palestine.

Israel must fulfill obligations if it wants to become part of the region: Qatar

Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, says if Israel wants to become part of the region, it must fulfill its obligations.

Israeli air strikes target towns in southern Lebanon

Israeli air strikes have targeted the al-Mansouri area and the town of Sarbin in southern Lebanon, according to the country’s National News Agency (NNA).

NNA also reports fires spreading along the Litani River and in the Marjayoun plains near the town of Deir Mimas as a result of continuous artillery shelling by Israeli forces of the area below Hamames Hill.

Lebanese first responders are struggling to contain the blaze, which is spreading to forested areas as a result of strong winds, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Health Ministry says 4350 people have been killed in the country since Israel launched attacks on March 2. At least 12,310 Lebanese have been injured in Israeli attacks.

Israeli army conducts major blast in south Lebanon town

The Israeli military carried out a large-scale detonation in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, according to the National News Agency.