Israel-Lebanon tensions Highlights: 'Yemeni missile intercepted' by IDF even as US, France urge for ceasefire

Indian embassy urges citizens to leave Lebanon amid escalating violence

The Indian Embassy in Beirut has urged its nationals to avoid travel to Lebanon due to escalating violence and "strongly advised" those present there to exercise extreme caution and leave the country as soon as possible.

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The news about a ceasefire - not true: Netanyahu

In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "The news about a ceasefire - not true. This is an American-French proposal, to which the prime minister did not even respond. The news about the supposed directive to moderate the fighting in the north is also the opposite of the truth. The Prime Minister instructed the IDF to continue the fighting with full force, and according to the plans presented to him. Also, the fighting in Gaza will continue until all the goals of the war are achieved."

Israel Foreign Minister rejects Lebanon ceasefire proposal amid escalating hostilities

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Thursday rejected proposals from the United States and France calling for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had not responded but told the army to keep up its opera...

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Israeli strike hits border crossing between Lebanon and Syria on Syrian side: Lebanese transport minister

According to Reuters, The Lebanese transport minister said that Israel has conducted an air strike and hit the border crossing between Lebanon and Syria on Syrian side.

"Hezbollah uses these means of warfare against the citizens of the State of Israel," the military said. "The IDF will continue to strike and act against the Hezbollah terrorist organization's attempts to arm itself and transfer weapons into Lebanon from Syrian territory."

Hezbollah has said in a statement it launched a “barrage of missiles” on Israel’s military facilities

News Agency Al Jazeera reported that in a statement, Hezbollah has said that it launched a “barrage of missiles” on Israel’s Rafael military facilities, in the Zevulun area, north of Haifa.

Israel’s army has not confirmed this strike but earlier said that 45 rockets had been launched from Lebanon.

3 dead, 17 injured in Lebanon's Tyre after missile strikes

The Lebanese Health Ministry, in multiple posts on X, said three people have been killed and 17 wounded in Israeli air raids in the area of Tyre, in southern Lebanon.

They confirmed that:

• One was killed and three wounded in Qana.

• Two were killed and one wounded in Cadmus.

• Five were wounded in Burj al-Shamali.

• Four were wounded in Tyre.

• Two were wounded in al-Qalila.

• One was wounded in Hanawiya.

• One was wounded in Houmayri.

IDF confirms strike on Syria-Lebanon border

Lebanon says 20 people, almost all Syrians, killed in Israeli strike: Reports

News agency AFP reported that Lebanese Health ministry, in a statment said that an "Israeli enemy strike on the village of Yunin" killed "20 people, including 19 Syrian nationals", raising an earlier toll of nine dead.

Israeli forces withdraw from Jenin in Gaza, leaving behind widespread destruction

News agency The Times of Gaza reported that that Israeli forces have withdrawn from Jenin in the occupied West Bank after a raid that lasted nearly 15 hours and caused “widespread destruction to the infrastructure and citizens’ properties”.

Israel's military says the exercise of the 7th brigade took place a few kilometres from the Lebanese border

Israel's military said it conducted an exercise simulating manoeuvres in Lebanon on Thursday.

The military said the exercise of its 7th brigade took place a few kilometres from the Lebanese border, Reuters reported

World wants ceasefire along Israel-Lebanon border, says US's Blinken amid escalating violence

News agency Reuters reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview, called for a ceasefire along Israel-Lebanon border, saying "The world is speaking clearly for virtually all of the key countries in Europe and in the region on the need for the ceasefire."

Israeli military says it is currently carrying out precise strikes in Beirut

"The IDF (Israeli military) is currently carrying out precise strikes in Beirut. Details to follow," the military said in a statement. 

A large blast was heard in Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday afternoon, witnesses told Reuters, and a thick cloud of smoke emanated from the area.

Israel targets Hezbollah commander in south Beirut: Report

AFP's source close to Hezbollah said that "Israeli strike targeted a Hezbollah commander."

Lebanon health ministry confirms that 20 people, most of them Syrian, died in Yonin raid.

41,534 Palestinians killed in Israel's Gaza offensive since October7, Gaza health ministry says

 Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 41,534 Palestinians and wounded 96,092 since October 7, the Palestinian enclave's health ministry said on Thursday.

Sirens sounded in northern Israel; false identification, says IDF

Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in the area of the northern Golan Heights, it was determined to be a false identification: IDF said.

Countries issue joint statement, call for 21 day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon

Emirate news agency WAM reported that UAE, US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia, Canada, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK issued a joint statement on situation between Lebanon and Israel.

In their statement they said, "The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8th, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation. This is in nobody’s interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon.

It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety.

Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict.

Thus we call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement consistent with UNSCR 1701, and the implementation of UNSCR 2735 regarding a ceasefire in Gaza.

We call on all parties, including the Governments of Israel and Lebanon, to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately consistent with UNSCR 1701 during this period, and to give a real chance to a diplomatic settlement.

We are then prepared to fully support all diplomatic efforts to conclude an agreement between Lebanon and Israel within this period, building on efforts over the last months, that ends this crisis altogether."

Sirens sounded in northern Israel once again: IDF

Explained | What are countries doing to get nationals out of Lebanon?

A sharp escalation in border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has sent Western nations scrambling to update contingency plans for evacuations from the region.

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Israel strike targeted head of Hezbollah drone unit: Report

"The Israeli strike targeted the commander of Hezbollah's drone unit, Mohammed Srur, known as Abu Saleh, whose fate is still unclear," a source told AFP.

Israel’s military claims the Hafsa al-Faluja School in Gaza’s Jabalia that it targeted was being used as a Hamas “command and control centre”

The attack has killed at least 15 people and injured others in the school, which serves as a shelter for displaced Palestinian families.

40 projectilies launched into Israel from Lebanon: IDF

In a statement, IDF said, "Following the sirens that sounded between 16:06 and 16:08 in the Upper Galilee area, approximately 40 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

A number of projectiles were intercepted, others were identified as impacting in the area

IDF shares video of strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah

Israeli Defence Minister approves continued offensive against Hezbollah

According to his office, Gallant met with the army’s chief of staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, head of the Operations Directorate, Major-General Oded Basiuk, and head of the Intelligence Directorate, Major-General Shlomi Binder to approve the continuation of the army’s plans against Hezbollah.

In a post on X, he said, " We are continuing the sequence of operations - to eliminate Hezbollah terrorists, to dismantle the offensive formations and to destroy the missiles and rockets.

We have additional tasks to complete to enable the return of the residents of the north to their homes - we will continue to throw Hezbollah off balance and deepen its plight."

Israel says it has secured $8.7 billion US aid package

Israel said on Thursday it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States package to support its ongoing military efforts Reuters reported.

The package includes $3.5 billion for essential wartime procurement, which has already been received and earmarked for critical military purchases, and $5.2 billion designated for air defense systems including the Iron Dome anti-missile system and an advanced laser system.

“We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave,”: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN General Assembly

“Palestine is our homeland. It is the land of our fathers, our grandfathers. It will remain ours," he said.

“And if anyone were to leave, it would be the occupying usurpers.”

Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel: Mahmoud Abbas

“I ask you by God, who is it then that killed more than 15,000 children?” he said. “Stop this crime. Stop it now. Stop killing children and women. Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel.” the Palestinian president continued.

“This madness cannot continue. The entire world is responsible for what is happening to our people in Gaza and the West Bank.”

People in Lebanon are being subjected to a “war of genocide”: Mahmoud Abbas

Mahmoud Abbas says that people in Lebanon are being subjected to a “war of genocide”.

“We condemn this aggression, and we demand that it stops immediately,” said Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority.

Sirens sounded in the Upper Galilee area: IDF

IDF eliminated Muhammad Hussein Srour, the commander of the Hezbollah's Aerial Command

In a statement, the IDF said that they have "with the direction of IDF intelligence, the IAF struck and eliminated the terrorist Muhammad Hussein Srour in Beirut."

US actions ‘encouraging’ Israel to continue war: Mahmoud Abbas

“We regret that the United States, the democracy of the world, the largest democracy in the world, obstructed three times draft resolutions of the Security Council demanding Israel to observe a ceasefire,” he said. “The US alone stood and said, no, the fighting is going to continue.”

“As long as the US is supporting it, then why not keep going?”

Palestinian authority should exercise full jurisdiction on Gaza after war ends, says Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday the Palestinian authority should exercise its full jurisdiction on the Gaza strip and all border crossings including Rafah, Reuters reported.

Abbas told the UN General Assembly the authority’s vision for the post-war era in Gaza included allowing relief aid to Gaza, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes.

Sirens sounded in Shefer, northern Israel: IDF

2 dead, 15 injured in Beirut air strikes today, Lebanese health ministry reports

Palestinian Authority President Abbas give 12-point proposal to UNGA for the day after the war ends.

Abbas laid out a 12-point proposal to the UNGA for what needs to be done the day after the war ends.

Here is some of his proposal.

1. A comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the military aggressions and attacks by terrorist settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

2. Humanitarian aid must be delivered urgently in an organised manner and in sufficient quantities because there’s nothing in Gaza, and they need everything. This humanitarian aid must be delivered throughout Gaza.

3. A full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. We refuse the establishment of buffer zones or taking any part from Gaza. We demand that we stop the forced displacement inside the Gaza Strip or outside the Gaza Strip.

4. We demand the return of those displaced to their homes and to have housing provided to them.

5. We demand the protection of UNRWA and humanitarian organizations from Israel’s actions and to provide political and financial support to these organizations so that they can perform their role and offer their services to the Palestinians.

6. We demand international protection for the Palestinians on the lands of their occupied land. We want protection. We are not fighting Israel. We cannot fight Israel, and we don’t want to fight.

7. The State of Palestine must shoulder its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and impose its full mandate on it and jurisdiction on it, including the border checkpoints, especially the Rafa international border between Egypt and Palestine, as part of a comprehensive plan.

8. The authority of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian government and the PLO, the legitimate and sole representative of the Palestinian people, will have authority on all Palestinian territories in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Eastern Jerusalem, as has been stipulated for us by international law. We are not asking for more, but we will not accept any less.

9. We will continue to mobilize the largest possible international support so that the State of Palestine can achieve full membership in the United Nations as soon as possible. We like to be sitting amongst you.

10. The full implementation of the General Assembly resolution on the advisory opinion that we mentioned issued by the International Court of Justice in a manner that would lead to the end of the occupation in 12 months.

11. Hold an international peace conference under the auspices of the United Nations within a year to apply the two-state solution. So we hold this international conference so that we would resolve all the problems that remain between us and Israel. By the way, we recognize the state of Israel, but Israel doesn’t recognize us.

12. Adopt international peacekeeping forces by virtue of a Security Council resolution between the states of Palestine and Israel to guarantee the security of both countries. We call for guaranteeing the security of both countries.

A crime and a continuation of the genocide: Hamas on Jabalia school strike

“The escalation in barbaric attacks across the Gaza Strip in the last few days, especially on shelters and tents housing displaced people … highlights how civilians are deliberately targeted and how heinous massacres are committed against them,” Hamas said in a statement.

The international community must intervene to stop “the terrorism and grave violations of international and humanitarian laws”, it said.

Sirens sounded in the central Galilee, northern Israel: IDF

Hezbollah says it targeted north Israel town Safed with 80 rockets in response to strikes

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it targeted on Thursday the northern Israeli town of Safed with dozens of rockets in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, reported AFP.

"Defending Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli" attacks on "cities, villages and civilians" in Lebanon, Hezbollah fighters targeted Safed "with 80 rockets", a statement said.

Sirens sounded in Netiv HaAsara, a community near the Gaza Strip: IDF

Israeli Air Force chief: We are preparing to assist troops in ground operations against Hezbollah

US, Israeli officials holding talks in New York, White House says

Israeli forces conducted air raids on the outskirts of the Lebanese towns of Sahmar, Yahmar and Labaya in the western Bekaa Valley. Nearly 700 people been killed in Lebanon this week, according to Lebanon’s health ministry

Local channel reports one killed in Israeli air attacks in Lebanon's Sahmar town

Israel has vowed to keep fighting Hezbollah militants 'until victory', media reports say

France opposed to Lebanon becoming a new Gaza, says President Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron said today that he did not think comments by Israeli officials on a proposed ceasefire in Lebanon were definitive, adding he would work to ensure Israel signed on.

Israel says it intercepted Yemeni missile

The Israeli army said it intercepted a missile that was fired from Yemen after sirens and explosions were heard early on Friday. "Following the sirens that sounded in central Israel, the surface-to-surface missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted by an 'Arrow' interceptor outside of Israeli territory," the army said in a statement. (reuters)