Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants on Monday filed a complaint through the country's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York with the UN Security Council in response to Israel's repeated violations of its ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.

The Lebanese ministry said on social media platform X that between Nov. 27 and Dec. 22, Israel launched over 816 land and air attacks against Lebanon, shelling border villages, booby-trapping homes, destroying residential neighborhoods, and blocking roads.

Such violations have complicated Lebanon's efforts to implement the provisions of UN Resolution 1701, hindering the Lebanese army's deployment in the south and representing a serious threat to international efforts aimed at achieving regional security and stability, the ministry said in the complaint.

Lebanon has continuously shown the utmost restraint and cooperation to avoid falling back into "the hell of war", it said, urging the UN Security Council to take a firm and clear position towards Israel's violations and work to oblige it to respect its obligations.

It also called for strengthening support for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese army to protect Lebanon's sovereignty and help the country restore stability.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on Nov. 27, putting an end to the confrontations that erupted on Oct. 8, 2023.

Despite the agreement, there have been multiple claims of ceasefire violations by both sides. The Israeli army has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, though at a significantly reduced intensity, with some attacks resulting in casualties in southern and eastern Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah fired munitions into border areas once, in early December, describing the actions as retaliation for the ongoing Israeli strikes.

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Wednesday, with the S and P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rising to fresh all-time highs, as investors remained hopeful about progress toward a U.S.-Iran peace deal.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.15 percent to 48,463.72. The S and P 500 added 0.8 percent to a new record close of 7,022.95. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 1.59 percent to 24,016.02, extending its winning streak to 11 consecutive sessions.

Seven of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors closed lower, with materials and industrials leading the laggards at declines of 1.3 percent and 1.24 percent, respectively. Technology and consumer discretionary were the top performers, rising 2.08 percent and 1.37 percent.

Stocks have rallied strongly this week on hopes that a deal between the United States and Iran may materialize. U.S. President Donald Trump offered further encouragement, telling Fox Business in an interview on Wednesday that the Iran war is "very close to being over."

Broadcom was among the session's standout performers, rising 4.19 percent after Meta Platforms announced an extension of their partnership to deploy custom chips based on Broadcom's technology.

Meanwhile, the U.S. economy grew at a "slight to modest pace" over the past six weeks, even as consumers faced higher prices and increasing demand for assistance, according to the Federal Reserve's Beige Book released Wednesday. The report, covering the 12 Fed districts, described the Iran war as "a major source of uncertainty" for businesses. Price growth was characterized as "moderate," despite a sharp rise in energy and fuel costs.

"Many Districts continued to report signs of consumer financial strain, increased price sensitivity, and rising demand at food banks and other social service organizations, while spending among higher-income consumers was resilient," the Beige Book stated.

Shares of all the "Magnificent Seven" technology giants ended higher except for Amazon, led by a 7.62 percent surge in Tesla.

Bank of America rose nearly 2 percent and Morgan Stanley advanced 4.52 percent after reporting better-than-expected quarterly results. Goldman Sachs kicked off bank earnings season on Monday, followed by Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup on Tuesday.

Snap Inc. surged nearly 8 percent after the company announced it would lay off approximately 16 percent of its global workforce, with its CEO Evan Spiegel citing "rapid advancements in artificial intelligence" as a key factor.

U.S. stocks close mixed with S and P 500, Nasdaq hitting record highs