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Is the Iran-backed terrorist movement Hezbollah on the ropes in Lebanon?

JERUSALEM — With Israel’s stunning capture of the strategically valuable Ali al-Taher ridge in south Lebanon on Sunday, a major Hezbollah ...

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

JERUSALEM — With Israel’s stunning capture of the strategically valuable Ali al-Taher ridge in south Lebanon on Sunday, a major Hezbollah and Iran stronghold, the campaign to degrade Tehran’s so-called "Axis of Resistance" suffered a severe blow.

While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) triumph is not a death blow, it means that the Iranian-regime-backed Hezbollah terrorist movement lost one of its key offensive bases to plan an invasion of Israel.

IDF Lt. Col. (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, the founder and president of the Israel-based Alma Research and Education Center (Alma), told Fox News Digital that "In the past three years Israel has attacked Hezbollah against various areas, for instance, we degraded the amount of rockets and missiles."

EXCLUSIVE: ISRAEL SEIZES VAST IRAN TERROR AXIS ARSENAL WITH SURPRISING FOREIGN ORIGINS

She noted that the IDF has decimated 90% of Hezbollah’s rocket and missile arsenal. Zehavi said, "Today Hezbollah is holding between 10,000 to 15,000 rockets, which is much less than what it used to have. Most of the array of sophisticated missiles, accurate missiles and long-range missiles was either eliminated or neutralized."

She said, "The capability to launch an invasion of thousands of terrorists into Israel which was the plan, and this was the preparedness three years ago. This capability doesn't exist anymore since the IDF is based in South Lebanon along the borderline, preventing Hezbollah from coming back to those places."

In late August, Alma released a widely read analysis on: "Hezbollah – Situation Assessment: From a Large-Scale Terrorist Army to a Persistent Dispersed Threat."

Zehavi, who resides in northern Israel and has experienced Hezbollah’s massive aerial attacks into her region since the Lebanese terrorist movement joined Hamas in its war against Israel, warned that, "As long as Iran supports its main proxy, which is Hezbollah, it will be very difficult to prevent its rebuilding of its military capabilities and with everything that happened in Iran In the past year, Iran still supports Hezbollah."

She noted that Iran still aids Hezbollah via "arms smuggling and money" and "they still put a lot of effort [into] that and the training and the involvement of Iran in Hezbollah in Lebanon. And this must be stopped."

LEBANON ACCUSES IRAN OF INSERTING IRGC TERRORISTS INTO COUNTRY 'UNDER GUISE OF DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY'

Iran's regime is a state-sponsor of terrorism and Hezbollah’s base is the Shiite community in Lebanon. Radical Shiite Islamism unifies Iran's regime with its chief proxy, Hezbollah, in Lebanon.

Alma, who has a deep knowledge of Hezbollah’s activities, wrote on X on Sunday: "The battle for the Ali al-Taher Ridge is over – the struggle with Hezbollah is not."

According to Zehavi, Hezbollah "today is much more of a guerrilla organization than a terrorist army as it used to be. It is having a lot of difficulties in rebuilding its capabilities… It is dedicated to rebuilding its military capabilities. But it has a lot of challenges along the way with this regard because of the regime change in Syria, because of that fact that it's much more difficult to transfer weapons through the airport in Lebanon and through Syria. But it doesn't mean that it is not happening. They are still trying and some of it do pass."

Hezbollah’s setback was also echoed by Israel TV’s Channel 12 chief political analyst, Amit Segal. He said the Hezbollah base Ali al-Taher was "Just 10 kilometers (just over six miles) from the Israeli border, with a clear view of the Litani and the Israeli Hula Valley, it was the place from which Hezbollah intended to coordinate its own Oct. 7 in the Galilee."

Hezbollah’s ally, the Hamas terrorist organization, invaded Israel nearly three years ago on Oct. 7 and slaughtered over 1,200 people in southern Israel, including more than 40 Americans.

The IDF announced on Sunday that "Soldiers from the 36th Division have operated in recent weeks to clear and neutralize the two underground routes in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area in the Security Zone. The soldiers achieved operational control of the ridge area, both above and below ground, and cleared the area of terrorists. Some of the terrorists were eliminated, while others fled the area."

PENTAGON HOSTS FIRST-EVER ISRAELI–LEBANESE MILITARY TALKS AIMED AT CURBING HEZBOLLAH

The IDF statement added that "Following operations in the underground routes over the past several weeks, their capability to carry out terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers from within the routes has been neutralized."

Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qamati told a Lebanese podcaster in late August that, "Ali al-Taher is important, but if it is lost it does not mean the end of Hezbollah."

Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told an Arab TV station, also in late August, that the Lebanese army was ready to take over the strategic ridge.

He accused Israel of blocking the army due to its own political considerations ahead of Israeli national elections on Oct. 27.

"The problem is not in the Lebanese army’s readiness but in Israel’s stance," he said.

The Trump administration had pushed for Hezbollah to allow Lebanon’s Army to take control of Ali al-Taher. Hezbollah refused the proposed U.S. deal.

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "Hizballah has been the primary obstacle to Lebanon's economic recovery, the main blemish on its international reputation, and the biggest threat to the safety and stability of Lebanon. It bears sole responsibility for Israel's presence on Lebanese soil. This is precisely why Hizballah must be disarmed and dismantled."

EXPERTS URGE EXTREME CAUTION ON IRAN'S 'CROWN JEWEL' HEZBOLLAH — TERROR GROUP WITH US BLOOD ON ITS HANDS

The State Department spokesperson added that "Hizballah is drastically weaker than at any point in recent history, which has allowed the Government of Lebanon to outlaw its military activities. We fully support that decision, as do all of our regional partners."

Hanin Ghaddar, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute who focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant, told Fox News Digital that "Hezbollah is weakened on two levels. They lost a lot of people, commanders and people, and weapons. Today, there is a goal to rebuild this military structure, invest in rebuilding in personnel, infrastructure and weapons. This is their primary goal."

Ghaddar, who is from Lebanon, added the second level of weakness for Hezbollah is the people are divided within the Shiite community. Hezbollah is no longer the father figure. Hezbollah ended with [Hassan] Nasrallah with his assassination. Hezbollah as protector and liberator is no longer there. It is a mix of IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], Hezbollah and Nabih Berri [ the Shiite speaker of the Lebanese parliament and the president of the Amal movement]."

Ghaddar said the Shiite community in Lebanon is fractured over whether to continue its support for Hezbollah after multiple wars with Israel.  She said it's "divided over whether Hezbollah is the solution. There is where Hezbollah is bleeding. Hezbollah needs the Shiite community for political power."

Ghaddar said that "Hezbollah has managed to get appointments through their allies, Berri and Amal… They have ministries of finance and health ministry… They really wanted appointments in general security and military. They got that. This reflects their strength economically. They are in survival and using power in the state and cash economy to rebuild."

Multiple Fox News Digital press queries sent to the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., went unanswered.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Monday, September 7, 2026

Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles on Tuesday, after U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Ukraine's capital as part of an effort to resume stalled peace negotiations.

Ukrainian officials said the attack involved ballistic and cruise missiles, according to CNN, and residential buildings in two districts of the city sustained damage as people were urged to remain indoors.

Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said people were trapped inside a residential building after the attacks.

RUSSIA LAUNCHES BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACK ON KYIV HOURS AFTER ZELENSKYY WARNS OF MAJOR STRIKE

The attacks, which caused fires across the city, including at an educational facility, came after Witkoff and Kushner met with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv on Sunday. The day prior, they met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as the Trump administration attempts to bring an end to the war that began in February 2022.

Witkoff said Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a three-day ceasefire before their visit to the region following months without significant progress toward a peace agreement. The ceasefire ended on Tuesday.

KUSHNER, WITKOFF SET FOR KYIV TALKS AFTER PUTIN MEETING IN US PUSH FOR PEACE

"Substantive progress was made, including movement on scheduling additional trilateral talks. President Trump is working hard to stop the killing and work towards a lasting and durable peace," he wrote on X following the trip.

On Tuesday morning, the governor of the Russian city of Saratov said a Ukrainian drone struck civilian infrastructure and injured some people.

Russian attacks killed multiple people and wounded dozens of others across Ukraine over the past day, Ukrainian officials said on Monday.

Additionally, Ukrainian drones struck three Russian oil refineries on Monday.



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A popular Egyptian TV host on Saturday was sentenced to death by hanging in a major drug case that accused dozens of suspects of forming an organized criminal group to manufacture and traffic synthetic drugs.

Sarah Khalifa is among 12 defendants facing execution for their alleged roles in the operation, including importing materials used to produce narcotics, according to state-backed media Ahram Online. Capital punishment in Egypt is carried out by hanging for civilian convictions.

Khalifa is a media personality, beauty clinic owner and former TV host who has appeared on several Egyptian television channels. Local outlet Masrawy reported that she previously hosted the Egyptian crime show "Mission Impossible."

Khalifa, who currently has more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram, was reportedly arrested in Cairo in April 2025 as part of the investigation.

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The case involved a total of 28 defendants who were charged with forming an organized criminal group, as well as possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition, Ahram Online said. Twelve were sentenced to death, nine received life sentences and seven were acquitted of all charges.

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The group allegedly operated like a production and distribution network, with members assigned different roles. Some were responsible for importing raw materials, while others manufactured and distributed the synthetic drugs, the prosecution said, according to reports.

The group was also accused of storing materials and manufacturing drugs in a residential property.

More than 750 kilograms, or roughly 1,653 pounds, of synthetic narcotics and raw materials were seized during the investigation, prosecutors said, according to reports.

The case against Khalifa and the other defendants relied on statements from 20 witnesses, along with technical and digital evidence, including messages, photographs and videos that prosecutors said documented the alleged criminal activity, according to Ahram Online.

Authorities also placed the defendants' assets and bank accounts under precautionary measures and ordered those already in custody to remain detained, Ahram Online reported.



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Another European nation has stopped funding the U.N. agency that aids the Palestinians. Finland has followed the U.S. and Sweden in halting donations to the terror-tainted agency.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), is presently being investigated for ties to the terrorist rulers of Gaza. Recently, organizations including the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG) and NGO UN Watch have uncovered further evidence of what they allege is Hamas infiltration of UNRWA and its members’ participation in the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attacks in southern Israel. 

Finland announced it would discontinue funding to the organization at the end of 2026. Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed to Fox News Digital that the agreement with UNRWA would conclude at the end of 2026 but that "As of yet, no decision has been made on what are the international partners through which Finland’s support will be channeled next year to meet the acute needs in the region." 

Finnish officials did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about what prompted the change to the country’s funding for UNRWA.

US URGES DONORS TO ABANDON UNRWA FUNDING AS UN DEFENDS AGENCY'S MISSION

While other nations still continue to fund UNRWA, President Donald Trump fully banned funding to the organization in February 2025 and Sweden ended funding to UNRWA in December 2024. Sweden redirected aid to other U.N. bodies for its Gaza response.

The future of aid provision in Gaza matters for the Trump administration-backed Board of Peace as it seeks to shape a conflict-free future for the region.

An official affiliated with the Board of Peace reconstruction effort told Fox News Digital that "the international community’s concern about UNRWA in Gaza continues to rise and is supported by damning evidence. The Board of Peace has been clear: New Gaza will be both demilitarized and deradicalized, and we will only be working with trusted, credible delivery partners to achieve our goals. We anticipate responsibly replacing UNRWA with vetted partners who will deliver for the people of Gaza."

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The USAID OIG is investigating about 1,500 members of UNRWA for terror participation, and has referred 108 UNRWA staff to the State Department to suggest they be suspended or excluded from further work with organizations in receipt of U.S. funds.

A senior U.S. official briefed on USAID OIG’s ongoing investigation told Fox News Digital that the USAID OIG’s "independent findings are prompting several other countries to reassess the stale and conventional thinking that UNRWA is the best and only option to provide aid to civilians in Gaza." The official said that the USAID OIG’s "findings also will prevent Hamas and October 7 affiliated staff from circulating across future, more responsible, aid organizations operating in Gaza."

WORLD'S HUMANITARIAN SYSTEM BUCKLING, 'NO LONGER FIT FOR PURPOSE,' US-BASED RESEARCHERS SAY

UN Watch’s Terror Network report claims that about 12% of UNRWA staff in Gaza are members of terror organizations, based on "cross-checking UNRWA employee rosters with Hamas records seized by the [Israel Defense Forces.]"

Executive director of UN Watch Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital that "Finland’s principled decision to defund terror-infested UNRWA will not deprive Palestinians of aid, as it will be redirected through genuine humanitarian agencies such as the World Food Programme that are not systemically infiltrated by Hamas."

He said that "other democracies should follow" the examples of Finland, Sweden, and the U.S. "Contrary to what UNRWA supporters claim, the agency is not ‘indispensable’ — assistance can and must be delivered through responsible alternatives."

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, told Fox News Digital that "UNRWA has taken note of the announcement, and they are grateful to Finland for the disbursement of the 2023–2026 funds under the multi-year agreement. UNRWA looks forward to continuing our discussions with the government." He explained that "the Secretary-General continues to encourage member states to support UNRWA's vital work." 

Finland's four-year funding was around $23.23 to UNRWA and will now end after this year. UNRWA did not respond to Fox News Digital questions about Finland’s decision.

Neuer said "defunding UNRWA is a prerequisite for deradicalization, the first step in the Gaza peace plan. Far from harming the prospects for peace, dismantling UNRWA is essential to achieving it. For decades, the agency has perpetuated the conflict by teaching generations of Palestinians that their future lies not in building their own society, but in a so-called ‘right of return’ that would eliminate Israel."

He concluded by noting that USAID OIG and UN Watch’s exposes on UNRWA prove that "the agency is unreformable. Nations that genuinely want peace should stop financing this machinery of hate, and invest instead in humanitarian relief, deradicalization and Palestinian self-reliance."



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Sunday, September 6, 2026

Travel restrictions have been placed on U.S. government employees in the Mexican border city of Nogales, Sonora, according to officials.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico on Saturday issued a warning restricting government activity over an unspecified threat in Nogales, Sonora, in Mexico.

"Due to threat information, U.S. government activities in, and travel to, Nogales have been restricted to essential movement during daylight hours only," the U.S. Consulate General in Nogales said in a statement.

STATE DEPARTMENT URGES AMERICANS TO AVOID MEXICAN CITY JUST ACROSS TEXAS BORDER

"We are alerting U.S. citizens of this threat and change in posture," the statement continued.

Sonora's State Security Board said it contacted U.S. consular officials after the alert was issued but did not provide information identifying a specific threat. State authorities said they had no information establishing a concrete risk to the public, though they would continue preventive security operations in Nogales.

The alert also reminded Americans that the U.S. Travel Advisory designates Sonora as a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" area.

Anyone in the area is urged to exercise increased caution and be aware of their surroundings, seek shelter in the event of an incident, notify friends and family of their safety in the event of an incident, follow instructions from Mexican law enforcement, and monitor local media for updates.

U.S. lawmakers also encouraged people in the area to pay attention to the warnings issued by the U.S. government.

"For Americans in or near Nogales - or who may have family members or friends there: please heed the guidance and warnings from the U.S. government," Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said on X.

"We are praying for the safety of U.S. citizens and personnel who may be in harm's way," he added.

AMERICANS WARNED POPULAR TRAVEL ROUTES THIS SUMMER COULD CARRY CRIME AND KIDNAPPING RISKS

It remains unclear what threat in Nogales triggered the security warning.



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The far-right party Alternative for Germany, or AfD, was projected to win a strong victory in a regional election on Sunday, in a major blow to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right party, the Christian Democratic Union.

Merz's party was projected to be hit with a disastrous result in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.

AfD had sought to form the country’s first far-right state government since the end of World War II in 1945, although it was not immediately clear whether it would be able to fulfill that ambition.

Ulrich Siegmund, AfD's anti-migration candidate for governor, said that "we have written history."

ANTI-MIGRANT AFD SEEKS TO BREAK GERMANY'S POLITICAL 'FIREWALL' IN HISTORIC STATE ELECTION

Siegmund, 35, told public broadcaster ARD that voters had sent a message that "things cannot carry on like this," adding that it was "also a signal toward Berlin."

"A very good campaigner for us in this election campaign was Friedrich Merz. Every day this man is in the chancellery is one too many," he said of Germany's unpopular leader.

The election comes amid widespread public discontent with the national government, which has yet to convince many voters it can get the country's sluggish economy back on track.

AfD aimed for an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern on its own and overcome the so-called firewall of mainstream parties’ refusal to work with it. But it was unclear long after polls closed whether that goal would become reality.

"AfD is a right-wing extremist party. It wants to leave the euro; that would be economic downfall ... it works closely together with Russia, it wants a completely different social model," said Franziska Hoppermann, the national general-secretary of Merz's party. "We will not work with them."

Achieving its first state government would be the biggest victory in the anti-migration party’s 13-year history.

Regardless of whether AfD forms its own government, the projected result is still a blow to Merz, whose center-right party has led Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years. Unlike several other European countries, modern Germany has not had a far-right or right-wing populist party leading a national, state or major-city government.

AfD is the largest opposition party in Germany’s national parliament and is strongest in the formerly communist and less prosperous east, where Saxony-Anhalt sits.

Its regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt is one of several classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist group by the domestic intelligence agency, which cites members' disparagement of migrants from Muslim countries among other things.

The party promotes "remigration," which pushes for the deportation of immigrants.

Siegmund has said his top priorities include "a deportation offensive" and ending incentives for people to come to Germany and "exploit our social system." He also wants to initiate a process to pull Saxony-Anhalt from the regional public broadcaster over allegations of "disinformation."

Germany’s 16 states have extensive powers, including overseeing security matters and running the education system.

An AfD leader in a neighboring state appealed two convictions for knowingly using a Nazi slogan.

The party has pushed back on accusations of extremism as politically motivated.

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Projections for ARD and ZDF public television, based on exit polls and partial counting, have AfD at just over 44% of the vote, more than double its showing five years ago in the region of 2.1 million people west of Berlin.

Merz's Christian Democratic Union was significantly behind, polling 18% and losing about half its support. The Left Party, the center-left Social Democrats and Greens were seen polling around 9% each.

It was unclear whether the BSW party would reach the 5% of the vote needed to win seats. The projections put AfD at least marginally short of an absolute majority for now, but that could change.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Rome has declared a "red zone" around the Colosseum after predatory crime, drug dealing and a violent confrontation involving roughly 50 people turned one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations into a security flashpoint.

The "enhanced-control zone" covers the Colosseum, Imperial Forums and Colle Oppio and allows authorities to remove certain people whose violent, threatening or persistently disruptive behavior creates a public safety risk, according to a six-page order issued by Rome Prefect Lamberto Giannini.

The measure took effect Aug. 24 and will remain in place for four months, through Christmas Eve.

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Officials said the area has experienced a "resurgence of disorder" that was "predominantly attributable to groups of young people of non-EU origin," according to the order.

The document cited predatory crimes, fights and fireworks near the ancient amphitheater, warning that the explosives may have been used to distract potential crime victims.

Officials said the trouble reached a breaking point July 1, when Rome Capital police officers responded after fireworks were set off near the Colosseum. A group of approximately 50 non-EU nationals allegedly resisted responding officers and damaged police property, according to the order.

The group surrounded local police officers and left two with minor injuries during what news agency ANSA described as an unauthorized gathering in Piazza del Colosseo.

Authorities also singled out Largo Gaetana Agnesi, a terrace overlooking the Colosseum and situated above the Colosseo subway station, as a regular gathering place for the groups at the center of the security concerns.

The nearby Colle Oppio park was also described as a problem area because of people officials said may be engaged in conduct harmful to public safety and public order.

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The newly designated zone stretches through some of the most recognizable areas of central Rome, including Piazza Venezia, Via dei Fori Imperiali, Piazza del Colosseo, the Arch of Constantine and Piazza del Campidoglio.

Giannini issued the order following a proposal from Rome’s police chief and discussions by the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security.

The order says the opening of the Metro C station serving the Colosseum has also contributed to the security challenges by creating a direct connection between the historic center and neighborhoods in eastern Rome.

The station and another subway stop inside the designated area draw large numbers of commuters and tourists who could be exposed to criminal activity, officials said.

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Under the order, authorities may remove people who engage in violent, threatening or persistently disruptive behavior and who were reported during the previous five years for specified offenses. Those include intentional crimes against people or property, certain drug offenses, weapons violations and crimes carrying a particular hate-crime aggravating circumstance.

The order is part of a broader push to protect residents and a flood of tourists visiting the Italian capital. Officials described Rome as facing an unusually complex security situation because of major international and historic events, the heightened geopolitical threat environment and the continuing influx of visitors.

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Authorities said ordinary patrols, surveillance systems, fixed security posts and joint "High Impact" operations had produced results but had not stopped repeated criminal conduct or fully restored public spaces to residents and visitors.

Officials also extended a separate security zone in Esquilino, covering streets around Rome’s main Termini train station and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

ITALY SHUTS DOWN EFFORT LINKED TO GAZA FLOTILLA GROUP TO TRACK JEWISH, ISRAELI TOURISTS

Officials said demonstrations around Termini continue to require close attention. They also cited the increased number of visitors and pilgrims traveling to Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis is buried, warning that large crowds can become targets for predatory crimes.

An earlier enhanced-control designation covering the Valle Aurelia area, including the Battistini and Cornelia subway stations, was discontinued after authorities determined that continuing the special measures there was no longer useful.

Anyone who violates the order could face criminal charges under Italian law.

Fox News Digital reached out to Rome police for additional information.



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