Israel Strikes Hezbollah Sites in Southern Lebanon After Ceasefire Extended 45 Days

The Israeli army has begun striking alleged Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, hours after a ceasefire was extended for a further 45 days. The army also issued forced evacuation notices for nine towns in southern Lebanon. Israeli air strikes targeted the towns of Kaouthariyet al-Saiyad and al-Ghassaniya, Al Jazeera colleagues on the ground reported.

Hospitals across Gaza received 13 bodies over the past 24 hours, including one person who died from previous injuries, along with 57 wounded individuals, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Since the ceasefire began on October 11 2025, the death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza has reached 870. The number of injured has climbed to 2,543.

FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom will meet with officials from the Iranian Football Association in Istanbul to discuss Iran’s status in the World Cup, a person familiar with the talks told Reuters. The meeting is aimed at offering reassurance over Iran’s ability to compete in the tournament.

Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19.

Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup has been in question since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February 2026. People gathered for the farewell ceremony of Iran’s national football team ahead of their departure for the tournament in Tehran on May 13 2026, according to Atta Kenare/AFP.

More than 3,000 Iranians have been killed over the course of the war according to government figures from Tehran.