The BBC team observed that Israel has flattened entire villages in southern Lebanon, similar to its actions in Gaza. ^[1] Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, stated that Russia's hybrid attacks will not stop EU support for Ukraine. ^[2] A Lebanese intelligence official said Lebanon's military has recorded more than 5,000 violations of the ceasefire deal by Israel since June 2026, including air strikes, drone attacks, shelling, and near-daily incursions beyond the occupied area. ^[3] Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said during a visit to occupied southern Lebanon in June 2026 that he had instructed the military to take all necessary steps to prepare for a long-term presence in the area. ^[4] Since this spring, approximately 6 percent of Lebanon has been occupied by the Israeli army. ^[5] A senior Israeli diplomatic official stated on Wednesday that settler violence in the West Bank has declined in recent months, including a drop in serious incidents between March and July. ^[6] Western and Lebanese officials told the BBC that the Israeli military is entrenching itself in the occupied areas of southern Lebanon. ^[7] Kaja Kallas accused Moscow of attempting to destabilize Kyiv's allies through hybrid attacks. ^[8] Kaja Kallas announced that over 10 EU countries are ready to provide resources and personnel for a new mission to train the Lebanese army. ^[9] Around 600 French soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continue to patrol the occupied zone. ^[10] The UNIFIL mission documents violations of UN resolutions by both Israel and Hezbollah. ^[11] An attempt to reach a security agreement between Israel and the government in Damascus failed, according to the senior Israeli diplomatic official. ^[12]