The situation remains tense on the southern Lebanese front, with ongoing Israeli shelling targeting border towns such as Khiam, outskirts of Ayta al-Shaab, Marwahin, Blida, Tal Al-Awaida, Adaisseh, outskirts of Wazani, Roueissah Hula near Hula and Meis Al-Jabal, Beit Lif outskirts, Dahiye, and Alma Al-Shaeb. Additionally, an Israeli airstrike resulted in two casualties in a Rapid-type car on the road in the Dabsha area of Khirbet Salim in the Bint Jbeil district.

In response to Israeli attacks, Hezbollah targeted Israeli positions, including Rweisat Al-Alam in the occupied Shebaa Farms, gatherings of Israeli soldiers in Shatila, and Jall Al-Alam, a site near Haddb Al-Bustan. This escalation is marked by Israel's assassination attempts in Lebanon, leading to the first-time announcement of the martyrdom of high-ranking military commander Wissam Hassan Tawil (Hajj Jawad) from Khirbet Salim in southern Lebanon.

In governmental activities, Prime Minister Najib Mikati was briefed by Foreign Minister Abdullah Bouhabib on efforts to halt Israeli violations and attacks. Mikati expressed the pursuit of a diplomatic solution in the south, potentially linked to a cessation of aggression on Gaza, revealing that U.S. President's advisor Amos Hochstein will visit Beirut this week for discussions.

President Elias El-Murr, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Interior and Defense Michel El-Murr, visited Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Serail, congratulating him on the New Year and discussing political developments and international, regional, and local efforts to assist Lebanon in facing challenges, particularly those arising from Israeli aggression on Gaza and southern Lebanon. They also offered condolences to Army Chief Joseph Aoun at the Saint Therese Church in Fayadieh for the death of his mother.

At the second presidential headquarters in Ain El-Tineh, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri received the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon Imran Riza. Berri also met Acting Director General of General Security Brigadier General Elias Al-Bessry and a delegation of senior officers from the General Directorate of General Security, extending New Year and festive greetings.

Flight departure and arrival screens at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut are back in operation after being hacked. Director General of Civil Aviation Engineer Fadi El-Hassan announced a partial return to normalcy at the airport, pending the full restoration of automated baggage tractors to their previous functionality.

Regionally, the Israeli war on Gaza enters its 94th day, marked by ongoing clashes and Israeli airstrikes in various northern and southern areas of the territory, amidst worsening humanitarian and health crises.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in the past 24 hours resulted in 73 fatalities and approximately 999 injuries, transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip. The overall toll of Israeli airstrikes on the territory has reached 23,084 fatalities and 58,926 injuries since October 7th. The Health Ministry spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qidra, reported 17 Israeli military massacres in the last 24 hours, claiming 249 lives and injuring 510.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Israel does not fear war with "Hezbollah" in Lebanon, warning that the devastation in Gaza could be replicated in Beirut.

Israeli newspaper "Israel Hayom" claimed precise knowledge of the location of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. The paper suggested that Sinwar's immunity from Israeli targeting is due to being surrounded by a large number of living Israeli hostages.

In Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, discussing developments in Palestinian territories and the impact of the Gaza crisis on peace, stability, and security in the region. Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians, ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and prevent displacement.

Saudi Arabia hosted talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell. Borrell mentioned discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on their joint peace initiative and steps to translate international consensus on a two-state solution into reality. He invited the Saudi Foreign Minister to visit Brussels on the 22nd of this month.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the international community to assume its responsibilities and emphasized the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state.

An Egyptian source denied reports claiming Egyptian-Israeli collaboration in deploying surveillance devices along the Philadelphi Corridor, stating that such information is entirely untrue.

Reports indicated that a U.S. military base near the Al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor, northeastern Syria, faced intense missile attacks.

Houthi movement Ansar Allah reiterated its commitment to preventing ships associated with Israel from crossing the Red Sea, warning that U.S. support for Tel Aviv could widen the conflict in the region.

Internationally, the Elysée Palace announced that French President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne, who submitted her resignation along with her government on January 8th.

Bolivia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support for South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice for genocide crimes in Gaza, making Bolivia the first Latin American country to endorse the lawsuit.

Peter Stano, the official representative of the European Union's External Action Service, revealed that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell intends to propose a significant European mission in the Red Sea. The mission, combining civilian and military aspects, will be presented by the European External Action Service, and consultations on the proposal will commence this week.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged Israel to exercise restraint in its Gaza offensive, considering it essential to have a "less harsh approach to operations."