Major General Diodato Abagnara, commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), paid tribute to Florian Montorio during a ceremony at Beirut airport ahead of the repatriation of his remains to France.Montorio, 39, was killed on Sunday when a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance came under small-arms fire near Ghanduriyah in southern Lebanon.

Three other peacekeepers were wounded, including two seriously, according to UNIFIL.“We are here to honour you,” Abagnara said during the ceremony, praising the soldier’s service and sacrifice and emphasizing that his contribution would endure through the mission’s ongoing work.

UNIFIL said the patrol had been attempting to restore access to isolated positions when it was targeted by what it described as non-state actors. The group Hezbollah has been alleged to be involved. The mission has launched an internal investigation and urged Lebanese authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials including France’s ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, and UNIFIL Chief of Staff Paul Sanzey, who highlighted France’s longstanding role in the peacekeeping mission.

France has been a key contributor to UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978, deploying troops for patrols, demining operations and support to Lebanese armed forces in the volatile south region.Montorio was posthumously awarded UN and Lebanese Army medals in recognition of his service.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.The incident underscores ongoing risks faced by peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, where tensions persist despite the absence of large-scale hostilities in recent years.

The truce, which began at midnight local time, marks a significant step in diplomatic efforts linked to a broader regional de-escalation involving tensions between the United States and . However, the Lebanese military said Israeli actions in the south constituted breaches of the ceasefire and urged residents to delay their return.

Despite the warnings, convoys of civilians were seen heading south toward their homes, with traffic building along coastal routes and damaged infrastructure, including bridges hit during recent hostilities. Residents cited strong attachment to their homes as a driving force behind their return.

International reactions to the truce were broadly supportive. The Kremlin welcomed the agreement, expressing hope it would prevent renewed clashes, while called for its continuation and urged both sides to uphold their commitments. also endorsed the ceasefire, describing it as a step toward lasting peace, while Iran’s foreign ministry framed it as part of a wider understanding tied to regional de-escalation.

The conflict in Lebanon intensified in early March when launched rocket attacks toward Israel, triggering a series of Israeli strikes. Fighting continued until shortly before the truce took effect, with casualties reported on both sides.

Under the ceasefire framework, mediated with US involvement, Israel retains the right to act against perceived imminent threats, while Lebanon is expected, with international support, to prevent Hezbollah from carrying out attacks. Israeli Prime Minister said the agreement could open the door to a broader peace arrangement but reiterated that disarmament of Hezbollah remains a key condition.

US President said he had spoken with both Israeli and Lebanese leaders ahead of the truce and suggested the possibility of high-level talks in Washington in the coming days, a development that could mark a significant diplomatic milestone if realised.

The ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides maintaining heightened alert levels as the situation on the ground continues to evolve.

In a written statement broadcast on Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television, Qassem said the group would not accept a return to prior arrangements and called on Lebanese officials to take a firmer stance in upcoming talks.

His remarks followed Israeli strikes earlier this week that he described as “bloody criminality,” referring to attacks on Wednesday that reportedly killed more than 300 people in Lebanon.

The comments come as Beirut and Tel Aviv are preparing to begin negotiations in the United States, part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address escalating tensions between the two countries.

GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the Lebanese move to direct the army and security forces to enforce state authority and restrict weapons to official institutions marked a “significant step” toward strengthening sovereignty and stability. The decision aims to consolidate control in the capital and limit arms possession to legitimate state forces.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, stating that the measure could help enhance stability and safeguard citizens.

Separately, India’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” by reports of civilian casualties following heavy Israeli bombardment earlier this week, which killed more than 300 people according to reports.

New Delhi stressed that protecting civilians must remain a priority and called for adherence to international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The escalation comes amid ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, which has drawn in broader regional tensions linked to the U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran.

Israeli operations in Lebanon have added strain to a fragile two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with both sides preparing for negotiations in Islamabad aimed at easing tensions.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London “strongly” supports including Lebanon in the ceasefire, citing humanitarian concerns following the latest Israeli attacks. “We do want to see the ceasefire extended to Lebanon,” she told Sky News, adding that the scale of displacement and civilian impact was deeply troubling.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 203 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in strikes on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest days in the current phase of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The calls were echoed by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, who said Israeli actions were placing the ceasefire under “severe strain” and that the truce should be broadened to include Lebanon.

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot also condemned the strikes, describing them as “unacceptable.”U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran to enable negotiations after weeks of conflict that disrupted global energy markets and heightened geopolitical risk.

However, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Lebanon was not part of the agreement, warning that any collapse in talks over the issue would be Tehran’s responsibility.

Iran signaled growing frustration, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stating that continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, alongside other concerns, had undermined the basis for negotiations and made further talks “unreasonable.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, described the scale of casualties in Lebanon as “horrific,” particularly after strikes in densely populated areas of Beirut that reportedly occurred without prior warning.

The escalation comes ahead of planned talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Pakistan, where mediators have urged all parties to maintain restraint. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for adherence to the ceasefire to allow diplomacy to proceed.

Tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, as uncertainty persists over maritime security and oil flows following recent disruptions.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it had resumed rocket fire toward Israel in response to continued strikes, signaling a potential widening of hostilities despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 203 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in widespread Israeli strikes on Wednesday, marking the deadliest day in over five weeks of renewed fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

Netanyahu said Israel was continuing to strike Hezbollah targets with “force, precision, and determination,” adding that operations would persist until security is restored in northern Israel.

The Israeli military said it was also conducting ground operations in southern Lebanon and had struck crossings used by Hezbollah fighters, along with weapons storage sites and command centers.The escalation comes despite a ceasefire announced earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump following heightened tensions with Iran.

Israel and Washington have said the truce does not apply to Lebanon, while other countries have called for its expansion to include the country.Lebanon’s cabinet moved to tighten state control over security, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam directing authorities to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions.

The government had previously banned Hezbollah’s military activities, though the group has continued operations.Iran warned that continued Israeli attacks on Hezbollah would carry “explicit costs and strong responses,” as diplomatic efforts to resolve the broader conflict remained uncertain.

Tehran has said no agreement would be reached while strikes on Lebanon continue.The Israeli military said it had killed a relative of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem in recent strikes, identifying him as a close aide involved in the group’s operations.

Hezbollah said it had resumed attacks on Israeli positions after initially indicating it would pause operations in line with the ceasefire, firing across the border and targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

Rescue teams continued searching for survivors under rubble in Beirut and other affected areas after strikes hit densely populated neighborhoods, many without prior warning, according to local accounts.

The conflict has also intensified pressure on global energy markets, with disruptions linked to the broader regional crisis pushing oil prices sharply higher and raising concerns about supply stability.

Lebanese state media reported fresh Israeli strikes, while the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for a building near the southern city of Tyre, signaling ongoing operations despite the broader regional truce.

Hezbollah, which entered the conflict by launching attacks on Israel on March 2, has not claimed any operations since early Wednesday. Three Lebanese sources close to the group told Reuters it had halted fire on northern Israel and Israeli forces in Lebanon as part of the ceasefire arrangement involving Iran.

The Israeli military said it “continues fighting and ground operations” against Hezbollah, underscoring that hostilities along the Lebanon front remain active.Lebanon’s army warned residents against returning to southern areas, citing ongoing Israeli attacks and the presence of advancing Israeli forces.

It urged civilians to avoid exposed zones until conditions stabilize.An AFP correspondent in the Tyre region reported limited civilian movement southward, despite the displacement of hundreds of thousands since the conflict expanded into Lebanon.

Hezbollah is expected to issue a formal statement clarifying its position on the ceasefire and Netanyahu’s assertion that Lebanon is excluded from the agreement, the Lebanese sources said.

French President Emmanuel Macron, while welcoming the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, said the situation in Lebanon remained critical and called for its inclusion in any broader de-escalation framework.

The strikes, part of an expanded military campaign since March 2 after Hezbollah joined the regional conflict alongside Iran, hit Beirut and areas in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese health ministry said a strike in Beirut’s Jnah district killed at least five people and wounded 52.

Additional attacks included a strike on an apartment building in Ain Saadeh east of Beirut, where three people were killed, including Lebanese Forces official Pierre Mouawad and his wife, according to the state-run National News Agency.

In the southern town of Kfar Hatta, seven people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed, the ministry said.Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the specific strikes. Chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday and said operations against Hezbollah would intensify.

Hezbollah said it had fired a cruise missile at an Israeli warship off the coast, but the Israeli military said it was not aware of such an attack.The escalation prompted the closure of the Masnaa crossing, Lebanon’s main land route to Syria. Israel had warned it would strike the crossing, alleging it was being used by Hezbollah to transfer military equipment.

Lebanese and Syrian officials said the crossing, a key civilian and trade artery, was evacuated and shut as a precaution.The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon warned that exchanges of fire near its positions could risk further escalation.Since the conflict expanded, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,400 people and displaced over one million, according to Lebanese authorities.

A strike in Jnah landed about 100 meters from Rafik Hariri University Hospital, causing damage and panic among patients. Hospital officials said they received dozens of casualties, while witnesses described explosions and falling debris in the area.Residents reported repeated strikes without warning.

Nancy Hassan, a local resident who previously lost her daughter in earlier fighting, said the campaigns had again hit her neighborhood.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for negotiations to prevent further destruction, particularly in southern regions where Israeli ground forces have advanced.

The strikes, part of an intensified campaign since early March after Hezbollah joined the regional conflict alongside Iran, hit multiple regions including Beirut and southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese health ministry said an attack in Beirut’s Jnah neighborhood killed at least five people and wounded 52.Additional strikes included an apartment building in Ain Saadeh east of Beirut, where three people were killed, among them Lebanese Forces official Pierre Mouawad and his wife, according to the state-run National News Agency.

In the southern town of Kfar Hatta, seven people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed, the ministry said.The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the specific strikes or their intended targets.

Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday and said operations against Hezbollah would intensify.Hezbollah said it had launched a cruise missile toward an Israeli warship off the coast, though the Israeli military said it was not aware of such an incident.

The escalation prompted the closure of the Masnaa border crossing, the main transit point between Lebanon and Syria. Israel’s military had warned it would strike the crossing, alleging Hezbollah was using it to transport military equipment.

Lebanese and Syrian officials said the crossing, a key trade and civilian route, was evacuated and temporarily shut.Clashes near United Nations positions raised concerns of broader escalation.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon warned that continued exchanges of fire in proximity to its forcea could trigger retaliatory responses.Since the start of the conflict, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,400 people, including 126 children, and displaced over one million population, according to Lebanese authorities.

The strike in Jnah landed close to Rafik Hariri University Hospital, causing structural damage and panic among patients, hospital officials said. Medical staff reported receiving dozens of casualties, while nearby residents described repeated explosions and falling debris.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun renewed calls for negotiations with Israel, urging efforts to prevent further destruction, particularly in the south where Israeli ground operations have expanded.

The mass movement began after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting sustained Israeli air attacks and a ground offensive. Villages across southern and eastern Lebanon, along with Beirut’s southern suburbs, have been largely emptied, pushing civilians into the capital in numbers equivalent to roughly one-fifth of the country’s population, according to government estimates.

Beirut’s infrastructure has come under severe strain as displaced families crowd into available spaces, including schools converted into shelters, mosques, storefronts and public parks. A sprawling tent settlement has emerged along the city’s waterfront, while others have set up makeshift shelters along the coastal corniche and near Horsh Beirut park.

Residents described deteriorating living conditions, with many lacking access to basic sanitation, electricity and adequate shelter. Some families have resorted to sleeping in vehicles or under tarpaulins, while heavy rains have flooded encampments, exacerbating health risks.

The United Nations refugee agency said the scale and speed of the displacement are without precedent in Lebanon’s recent history. Spokesperson Dalal Harb noted that the figure of one million displaced likely understates the true number, as many have not formally registered with authorities.

Government efforts to accommodate those fleeing have included converting hundreds of public buildings into shelters and establishing temporary facilities in large venues such as sports stadiums. Aid groups have also repurposed damaged infrastructure, including a slaughterhouse affected by the 2020 Beirut port explosion, to house displaced populations.

Despite these measures, capacity remains insufficient, forcing large numbers to remain in informal settlements. Many displaced families have opted to stay in Beirut rather than relocate to northern areas where space may be more available, citing concerns over losing proximity to their homes and communities.

Urban specialists warn that the visible scale of displacement is reshaping the city’s social and physical landscape, creating new pressures on public services and heightening tensions among residents.

The influx has also revived concerns over Lebanon’s fragile sectarian balance, with the displacement of large numbers of Shiite residents from southern regions and Beirut’s suburbs raising fears of demographic shifts in the capital.

Humanitarian agencies say needs are escalating rapidly as the conflict shows no sign of abating. Israeli forces have signaled the possibility of advancing further into Lebanese territory, raising the prospect of additional displacement.

Aid officials warned that conditions for those already displaced could deteriorate further without sustained assistance and a de-escalation in hostilities.