Israel's ongoing military strikes in Lebanon send a "clear message" to Hezbollah, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday, accusing the Iran-backed Islamist group of seeking to rebuild its forces in violation of a ceasefire agreement.

A fresh wave of deadly sectarian violence has rocked Syria, highlighting the country's fragile security landscape.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The Israeli army said Wednesday that it struck near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus. The strike came as clashes continued in the southern Syrian city of Sweida after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed.

Israel has been conducting near-daily strikes against what it says are Hezbollah targets as the Iranian-backed group comes under pressure to disarm amid fears of a renewed war.

Israel says it's trying to protect the Druze community in south-west Syria, where there have been deadly sectarian clashes.

Military says targets in northeastern Beqaa Valley include Radwan unit facilities where military activity was taking place in 'blatant violation' of November ceasefire

Lebanese officials have received a response to their proposal to US special envoy Thomas Barrack over the disarmament of Hezbollah, as Israel launched air strikes on the Beqaa Valley on Tuesday morning.

At least 18 members of Syria's security forces have been killed. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.