U.S. intelligence warns that Israel is likely to launch a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear program by midyear, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing multiple intelligence reports.

Israel is seeking another extension of the deadline for the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon, a Western diplomatic source says, a request that is likely to raise new concerns in a country with a history of Israeli occupation.

Lebanon has rejected a request from Israel for Israeli troops to stay in the Arab country beyond a withdrawal deadline set as part of a ceasefire agreement, according to a Lebanese media outlet.