Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue on the southern front, with the Israeli army targeting border areas. In response, Hezbollah carried out nine operations today targeting military barracks.
Meanwhile, Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi called for "an end to the war in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in both regions." He stated, "Electing a president in accordance with the clear and explicit constitution will restore citizens' confidence in the president and state institutions."
Metropolitan Elias Audi of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut and its dependencies also prayed for peace globally, especially in southern Lebanon and the wounded Gaza. He said, "We pray that God extends His peace from above upon our region and our country, removes the specter of war and its calamities from His people, and grants His children love, joy, peace, and stability."
Regionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli forces are committed to fighting until the war objectives are achieved. He confirmed no change in stance regarding President Joe Biden's plan, deeming Hamas the "only obstacle."
Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that the Gaza war is nearing its final stages without a prisoner exchange deal. He suggested that calm in the south would lead to calm in the north, which he considers the best option.
Hamas surprised Israel by releasing a video showing continued weapons manufacturing.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that "Hamas is exhausted and unable to recover, while we are reaching places we never dreamed of." He emphasized, "We will continue until Hamas cannot rebuild its strength."
In parallel, Cairo intensified its contacts with Israel and Palestinian factions to revive stalled negotiations on ending the Gaza war. It denied any Egyptian approval for transferring the Rafah crossing or building a new crossing near the Kerem Shalom crossing.
In another development, Turkey requested a private meeting with Syria away from the media in Iraq. The Turkish side asked Moscow and Baghdad to hold bilateral talks with the Syrian side without any third party presence, aiming to restore relations between the two countries to their previous state.
Internationally, the French voted today in the first round of legislative elections, recording the highest turnout since 1986, reaching 65.5% according to "Ipsos Talon."
The right-wing led the initial election results. According to "Ipsos Talon," the National Rally and its far-right allies obtained 34% of the votes, the New People's Ecological and Social Union (French left forces) received 28.1%, "Together" (President Macron's party) got 20.3%, and the Republicans received 10.2%.
Following the preliminary results, President Emmanuel Macron called on the French to block the far-right in the second round, urging a "broad coalition" to confront it.
National Rally leader Marine Le Pen viewed the results as the French people practically toppling President Emmanuel Macron's camp.
Separately, British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden warned of the risk of Russian interference in the upcoming general election campaign scheduled for July 4.
Amid fears of a potential terrorist attack targeting U.S. individuals or military installations in Europe, two U.S. officials disclosed that numerous U.S. military bases across Europe were placed on high alert over the weekend, with the force protection level raised to the second-highest.
In the U.S., following the debate between President Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump, Biden plans to meet with his family in a "closed camp" to discuss the future of his re-election campaign.
Economically, net foreign direct investment inflows to Saudi Arabia increased by 5.6%, reaching 9.5 billion riyals ($2.53 billion) in the first quarter of 2024.
