Shelling by Israel's military killed two civilians in the Shebaa village in southern Lebanon on Saturday.
“A man and his wife have been killed in their home by Israeli shelling,” mayor Mohammad Harb told AFP.
On Friday, a Lebanese videographer, Issam Abdallah, was killed and six others where injured when Israeli fire hit the area they were covering in south Lebanon.
The shelling on Saturday followed heavy fire between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanese border, marking the latest escalation in violence following last weekend's unprecedented attack on Israel by the Gaza-based Hamas militant group.
Israel’s military said that it launched strikes into Lebanon in response to a Hezbollah attack on Saturday afternoon.
“Approximately 30 mortar shells were identified as being fired towards Israeli territory, with some of them crossing into our territory," it said.
In response it “targeted the sources of the fire and continues to strike within Lebanese territory at this time”, army spokesman Daniel Hagari wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Israeli army said it had launched aircraft strikes against a group that tried to infiltrate Israel from Lebanon during the mortar shelling.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that five Israelis were wounded by the shelling, including one who is in critical condition.
Hezbollah said its strikes targeted Israeli bases in Shebaa Farms and the Kafr Shuba Hills, using mortars and guided missiles, and destroyed an Israeli radar site.
“Those who have been oppressed have been given the right to fight back,” the powerful Lebanese Shiite militia said in a statement.
The exchange of fire comes amid growing concerns that the Israel-Gaza war might spill over into Lebanon.
The Shebaa Farms are disputed between Lebanon and Israel. The area was captured by Israel in 1967 from Syria, but Lebanon claims that both the Shebaa Farms and the adjacent Kfar Shuba hills should be recognised as part of its territory.
New infiltration attempts
Earlier on Saturday, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said it had stopped an attempt by a group to breach its border from Lebanon.
A Lebanese security source told The National that the incident seemed to have been an infiltration attempt.
“We heard sounds in the Houla area [in south-east Lebanon]. We don’t know if it was a plane or a drone,” the source said, without indicating who the suspects might have been.
Some Palestinian groups also operate in southern Lebanon. A Hezbollah spokesman said the infiltrators were not its fighters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said the decision to open a new front in South Lebanon rests with Hezbollah.
“It is up to the Resistance [Hezbollah] to decide whether to open a new front or respond to a crime. They set the conditions they desire,” Mr Amirabdollahian said at a press conference on Sunday at the Iranian Embassy in Beirut.
“The security of Lebanon matters to everyone, including Iran. Opening a new front is possible, depending on the circumstances,” he added.
“The Lebanese government bears responsibility for every attack launched from Lebanon towards our sovereignty,” Israeli army spokesman Mr Adraee said on X, formerly Twitter. “Anyone who tries to cross the border into our lands will be killed.”
The Lebanese government previously said it did not want the country to be dragged into the conflict, while condemning the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
German airline Lufthansa said it is suspending its flights to Beirut until October 16, AFP reported.
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
