US media reports:

-U.S prepares human-rights sanctions on Lebanese leaders in bid to weaken Hezbollah

-U.S hopes to shape next Lebanese government, force it to address corruption

-U.S sees opportunity in aftermath of Aug. 4 explosion to influence direction of politics (1/2)

- Some U.S officials want to 'shake things up among the political elites' (2/2)

Wall Street Journal

Deputy Parliament Speaker Elie Ferzli to MTV: I am not the one calling for a national unity government, but the international community, including the French president, has come to Lebanon to take a certain course. (1/4) https://t.co/XnYGIxHMl9

Ferzli: The French President called for a government of reunification, and when some officials tried to discuss the issue, there was insistence that the international community wants to follow this path, otherwise there will be an international position and interference. (2/4) https://t.co/J9c37SUDt7

Ferzli: Matters must be pushed towards negotiations, and we must settle things before September (before Macron's visit to Lebanon) and form a government that takes into account unification and reform implementation. (3/4) https://t.co/XgIucIvArJ

Ferzli: I think that there are two main components the international community cares about, Saad Hariri and Hezbollah. (4/4) https://t.co/9k6uKk6166

According to the Lebanese army, there is currently 5 field hospitals in Lebanon.

1- Morocco 🇲🇦
2- Qatar 🇶🇦
3- Jordan 🇯🇴
4- Iran 🇮🇷
5- Russia 🇷🇺 https://t.co/8gsXElg6sb

On Friday, the attorney generals of the supreme court will begin hearing the testimony of the Labor, Finance and Justice Ministers, who have been in office since 2013, to determine their responsibilities regarding the port explosion.

General Amir Baram, in a letter to the heads of settlements in the north near Lebanon, explained why IDF didn't kill the alleged Hezbullah cell on Mount Dov:

Civic considerations, tourism at its peak, the economic downturn due to COVID-19, and a sense of security for residents of the North - have been and will remain an important component of our decision-making. https://t.co/rITZAJxr25

Presidential Palace sources: The binding parliamentary consultations to name a new prime minister will not be decided this week due to appointments and because the vision of what is next is not yet clear. https://t.co/7ehSjtXoRQ

French and Iranian media:

Iranian President @HassanRouhani and his French counterpart @EmmanuelMacron in a telephone conversation on Wednesday reviewed the latest situation in Lebanon https://t.co/WUK9z0eEWu

Elysee: Macron told the Iranian president that all concerned parties should stop external interference in Lebanon and support the formation of a new government with a mission. https://t.co/kxbrIigmSi

Russia Today: President Putin discussed with President Macron the situation in Lebanon and steps to provide support in light of the Beirut explosion. https://t.co/NxDSTmTHrd

A mine exploded on the Lebanese-Syrian border in Wadi Khaled resulted in the injury of a young man, who was transferred to "Our Lady of Peace" Hospital in Qoubaiyat. https://t.co/SVH1nF97x9

Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman:

“Gebran Bassil should have been sanctioned years ago. No one has done more to enable Hezbollah’s political over-reach than he has, in giving an Iranian-funded Shia militia Christian cover.” https://t.co/yt6h9LANa5

Centcom chief Gen. Frank McKenzie says his focus after the Beirut explosion is preventing "connective tissue" between ISIS's former caliphate in Iraq and Syria and "inspired attacks" in places like Lebanon. https://t.co/ZNokJXCNSO

Machnouk: The Future Movement, Progressive Socialist Party, and Lebanese Forces wanted to resign from Parliament, but they received a call on the night of consultations from the French President in person, who asked them to wait until his return to Lebanon.

French orders. https://t.co/4EgzCJPk7N

Note: Lebanon had zero ISIS and ISIS attacks since the Syrian army and Hezbullah took control over the border area with Syria in 2015-2016, concluding the campaign in 2017 when they ended the presence of ISIS and Al Qaeda from Lebanon with the help of the Lebanese army.

Machnouk: This operation in Beirut was clearly and explicitly carried out by Israel, and this is the result of conclusions, readings, and communications. It is clear that we are facing a crime against humanity, and therefore no one dares to adopt it. https://t.co/LYY7boCxAm

Machnouk: Which Lebanese judge would dare to announce the discovery of missile remnants among the remains and destruction, and which judge would dare to announce that the size of the explosion was 1,350 tons, not 2750, and where the 1,400 tons disappeared? https://t.co/mUZpWUfeZi

U.S. threatens to veto extending UN peacekeepers mission in Southern Lebanon over Hezbollah concerns.

French diplomat: “Veto and then what? They will deploy 10,000 marines to replace UNIFIL?"

https://t.co/CetvTDG0x3