Israelis living near the border with Lebanon fear fires as well as rockets. Cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified in recent weeks and people are worried a full-scale war could break out.

Qiryat Shemona

There are fears that a larger war could break out between Israel and Hezbollah.

Tensions at Israel-Lebanon border

Israel's aerial defense system has been actively intercepting rockets launched from southern Lebanon, intensifying concerns among residents in northern Israel. Firefighters in the region, already dealing with seasonal wildfires, are now also battling fires ignited by these cross-border skirmishes between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Gadi Azoulay, who manages a firefighting team, noted that the increased accuracy of recent rocket fire has led to more frequent and expansive fires, exacerbated by dry conditions and strong winds.

Although there has been a brief period of relative calm, Azoulay and his team are preparing for the possibility of an escalation into full-scale war. They are receiving additional forces and equipment to handle potential future conflicts. In Kibbutz Shamir, near the border, residents report hearing artillery and drones, indicating ongoing tensions. For the last eight months, the threat of conflict has been a constant in their lives.

Gilad Yehuda, another local resident, expressed his concerns about the fires and the looming threat of war. He described the border area as a continuous war zone, with constant alarms, aircraft, and noise from both sides. Yehuda, whose home is just outside the official evacuation zone, has twice evacuated with his family since October of the previous year due to the escalating tensions. Despite returning each time, their suitcases remain packed, ready for any immediate need to leave again.



Israel's north burning amid fears of all-out war with Hezbollah

Israel's aerial defense system shoots down rockets from southern Lebanon. On the ground in northern Israel, firefighters are busy extinguishing fires caused by cross-border strikes between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Gadi Azoulay is managing a bigger team than usually. The addition of missiles to the wildfire season means he needs all the help he can get. In the last month, there has been much heavier and more accurate shooting. And as a result of these rockets and interceptions, many fires got started. Because of the dryness and strong winds, you'll see a large burned area here." This is the aftermath of a fire sparked when Israel's aerial defense system shot down incoming missiles. The last few days have been quieter than usual, says Azoulay, but his team is preparing for all scenarios, including a full-scale war. We know it will be much more severe, and this is why we're getting ready, receiving forces and equipment, freshening up. And we are now at a stage when we are waiting for the next wave. But I hope it doesn't come. A few kilometers away, another fire has spread in recent weeks to the outskirts of Kibbutz Shamir. We heard a few artillery rounds shot across the border area here and the buzz of drones overhead. This border area feels relatively calm today. But people here have been living under threat for more than eight months now. And they fear it can get much worse if Israel and Hezbollah will enter a full-scale war. Gilad Yehuda and his family are worried about the fires as well as the potential war. The places, he says, feel like an additional weapon used against them. Here in the Upper Galilee and all around the border of Lebanon, there is an actual war. There is a real war, missiles, drones, fires, alarms all the time, a lot of noises also from the Israeli side, airplanes in the sky all the time. And it can change from three alarms a day to three days without any alarm. Basically, we know that Hezbollah have the ability to hurt us, to injure us in any given moment. And we are just, you know, hoping that IDF will be able to defend us. Their home here is just outside the official evacuation zone, which stretches five kilometers into Israel from the border. That means they, unlike tens of thousands of others, have not been told to leave. But fearing war and fire, he and his family have left twice since October 7 last year. Each time, they came back, but their suitcases are packed.

Ukraine has appointed a new prime minister, 39-year-old Yulia Svyrydenko, as part of a sweeping government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy. This marks the most significant political shift since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Yulia Svyrydenko takes charge as Ukraine's new prime minister

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, currently on trial at the Supreme Court, has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. Bolsonaro is accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election.

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor

At least three deputies were killed after an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility, officials said. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents were at the scene.

Los Angeles

Three killed in explosion at L.A. County Sheriff's Department facility

The UK's Labour Party has passed a landmark electoral reform, aligning with Scotland and Wales in lowering the voting age from 18 to 16. The change fulfills a key promise by the ruling party but garnered criticism from the Conservative Party.

London

UK lowers voting age from 18 to 16 in historic electoral reform

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a rescissions package to slash $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, sending the bill to President Donald Trump's desk.

Washington

U.S. House passes $9 billion cut to foreign aid, public broadcasting

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday night ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to help facilitate the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein as the administration faces pressure to share more materials on the case.

Trump orders release of Epstein-related grand jury transcripts

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy and financial sectors in a bid to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and force a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moscow

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks

U.S. President Donald Trump denies writing a letter signed 'Donald' beneath a nude sketch in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album, details of which were published by the Wall Street Journal. The letter is now under review by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump denies writing crude letter to Jeffrey Epstein

Following a call with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology, saying the only Catholic church in Gaza was hit by stray ammunition. The blast killed three civilians. Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu apologizes for deadly strike on Catholic church in Gaza

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that TSA may soon end its restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA may eliminate liquid restrictions on planes

A Tennessee judge on Thursday set Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 27, 2026. Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.

Tennessee

Judge sets Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

Black-box recording indicates that the flight's captain switched off fuel flow to both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane, according to media reports on Wednesday, citing preliminary U.S. assessment of evidence.

Ahmedabad

Flight captain switched off fuel flow to engines in Air India crash

The Department of Justice has fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor and the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey. This comes as the White House tries to mitigate demands for the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released.

DOJ fires Maurene Comey, who helped prosecute Jeffrey Epstein

The Senate approved a $9.4 billion rescissions request, sending it back to the House of Representatives for approval.

Senate approves spending cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting

Israel has faced international condemnation over its three days of airstrikes in Syria. The European Union and the United Nations have called for a return to calm, while Iran has urged countries in the region to respond against Israel.

Damascus

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syria’s Damascus

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first state visit to the United Kingdom to sign a historic defence cooperation treaty—the first of its kind between Germany and Britain since the Second World War. The agreement includes plans for joint defence efforts, boosting economic collaboration, and tackling illegal migration.

Germany and UK seal historic defence pact

Donald Trump says American-made weapons bought by NATO are being shipped to Ukraine. Trump's also threatening sanctions, saying his aim is to force Putin to negotiate an end to the war. But with Ukraine under nightly attack, there’s scepticism over whether he'll achieve anything.

U.S. ships NATO purchased Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Syria condemns Israel for fatal strikes on several government buildings in Damascus. The escalation threatens to disrupt new U.S.-brokered security talks between Israel and Syria, with both sides expressing concerns over stability in the region.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria threaten security talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

Mexico plans to strengthen trade with Canada

Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle’s podcast

Israel struck Syrian military targets as well as central Damascus on Wednesday (July 16) as it continued its campaign to protect Druze minority communities in southern Syria.

Israel strikes Damascus as fighting rages in southern Syria

U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee's appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial follows President Trump's call for Israel to throw out the case or pardon the Israeli prime minister.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. ambassador attends Netanyahu trial to show support from Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were in the works as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners.

Trump eyes more trade deals soon as EU readies retaliation

At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday (July 16) at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators. This video contains graphic images.

Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames agitators

Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in the double homicide of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. The couple, both 70 years old, was found shot to death in their home earlier this week.

Encino

Police make arrest in murders of American Idol executive, husband

Streaming shows dominated nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards. "Severance" earned the most series nominations with 27. Meanwhile, "The Studio" earned the most-ever nominations for a debut comedy series with 23.

Hollywood

'Severance' and 'The Studio' earn top Emmy nominations

The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions. Members of the ultra-orthodox community have been exempted from enlisting in the army since 1948.

Major cracks in Netanyahu coalition as ultra-Orthodox party quits

New information about the Jeffrey Epstein case may soon be made public after a reversal from U.S. President Donald Trump and weeks of criticism — the loudest of which has come from within the MAGA movement.

See The Full Story