The historic Deir Mimas monastery, a revered site dating back to 1404 A.D., has been attacked by Israeli forces a day before Christmas Eve; many read the action as a signal of a broader pattern of aggression targeting religious sites and civil shrines

Students from the American University of Beirut and the American University of Lebanon called on their administrations to 'boycott companies and institutions that support Israel'; total death toll from Israeli attacks since Oct 8 is 438 people

The acting governor of the Banque du Liban has not notified the IMF of any new developments related to the country; IMF officials are waiting, hoping that Lebanon will enact reform laws that will lead to agreement on a recovery plan

Peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon are present on the ground in the south of the country "despite escalating tensions" between Israel and Hezbollah, said UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti