A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is now in effect, but Israel refuses to leave southern Lebanon while Hezbollah claims the right to resist the occupation. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Hegseth compared war reporters to biblical Pharisees while warning Iran the U.S. naval blockade remains firm. President Trump nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director to lead an agency depleted by budget cuts and eroded public trust. Israel has demolished over 40,000 homes in southern Lebanon and created a security buffer zone, with Prime Minister Netanyahu declaring Israel will not leave despite the ceasefire agreement. Defense Secretary Hegseth has routinely used religious language at Pentagon briefings, comparing critical media coverage to persecution of Jesus by Pharisees, a pattern unlike any recent Defense Secretary.