UNRWA Funding Crunch in Lebanon: Palestinian refugees in Lebanon’s camps are facing daily survival shocks as UNRWA cuts essential aid, with families in places like Nahr al-Bared forced to choose between food and medicine amid electricity, water, rent and job shortages. Central Bank Oversight: Lebanon’s central bank has selected Alvarez & Marsal for a new audit aimed at scrutinizing transactions for graft, signaling tighter financial controls. Education Cost Relief: With school-year expenses rising, Beirut families are leaning on community schoolbook lending libraries that expand across neighborhoods to share textbooks and cut household costs. Southern Lebanon Security & Redeployment: Israel is reportedly discussing a new security zone closer to the border and preparing force reductions after operations around the Ali al-Taher ridge, while claims of tunnel clearing and “operational control” raise uncertainty for local stability. Maritime Tensions & Trade Risk: Qatar is pushing de-escalation and rejecting politicization of maritime navigation, warning that Strait of Hormuz disruptions threaten regional trade and energy stability. Sanctions Hit Iran Oil Finance: The US sanctioned a Turkish bank over an alleged Iranian oil revenue evasion scheme involving front companies and gold/cash transfers, underlining pressure on hard-currency flows.