BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon and Cyprus signed a long-delayed sea border agreement on Wednesday, ending an almost 20-year impasse that had stalled some oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian fuel.

Israel killed militant group Hezbollah's top military official in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut, the Israeli military said, despite a U.S.-brokered truce a year ago.

Israel has attacked Beirut’s suburbs just two days after Lebanon’s president said he was open to negotiations.

The strike comes days before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the country and as Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks.

Social media users pondered and debated the design inspiration behind the Lebanese capital’s annual Christmas decorations

Lebanon's health ministry says the casualty toll resulting from the Israeli strike in southern Beirut on Sunday has risen to five people killed and 28 injured. The initially reported casualty toll was one killed and 21 injured, according to the Lebanon health Ministry.

Lebanon remains locked in a vicious cycle since last year's cease-fire that never truly ended the war and facing an unrestrained Israel.

Lebanon’s president has announced he will grant citizenship to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, sparking a wave of outrage.