Israeli forces have surrounded the strategic town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon after days of intense fighting with Hezbollah, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to Israeli military claims, more than 100 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in a combination of airstrikes and close-range combat. The operation, led by Israel’s 98th Division, aims to secure the border and push Hezbollah forces away while establishing a deeper security buffer zone. Hezbollah, however, says it continues to engage Israeli troops in “point-blank” clashes inside the town.

A dramatic and unprecedented public clash has erupted between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, exposing deep divisions over the Iran war, global policy, and the role of religion in modern geopolitics. The Pope has declared he has “no fear” of the Trump administration and will continue speaking out against war, while Trump has launched a sharp attack, calling the pontiff “weak” and questioning his leadership.