Category: MIDDLE EAST

Israel has begun limited ground raids against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, escalating the conflict that has been ongoing for nearly a year. The Israeli military reported air and artillery support for these operations. This action follows recent airstrikes on Beirut and other areas, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. The invasion comes after Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, marking a significant escalation in the region.READ FULL

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have escalated, with 105 people killed on Sunday and four more in a drone attack on Beirut on Monday. This marks the first strike within Beirut since October 2023. The attacks have targeted Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed on Friday. The conflict has raised fears of a wider Middle East war. French and Saudi diplomats have expressed concern, calling for an immediate halt to Israeli strikes. The Pope criticized Israel’s actions as disproportionate.READ FULL

Israel announced the killing of Nabil Qaouq, a senior Hezbollah official, in an airstrike on Lebanon, following the recent assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military reported striking numerous Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, escalating tensions in the region. Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death and launched retaliatory strikes on Israeli positions. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 700 casualties in Lebanon within a week, according to the health ministry. The situation threatens to plunge Lebanon, already facing political and economic crises, into further instability.READ FULL

Israel has intensified its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising fears of a Gaza-like scenario. Recent airstrikes killed 492 people and wounded 1,645, prompting mass evacuations. While there are similarities to Gaza, including evacuation orders, Lebanon’s situation differs due to its political complexity and Hezbollah’s strength. Many Lebanese fear potential escalation, with some preparing for evacuation. The UN warns against Lebanon becoming “another Gaza.” Despite growing tensions, the conflict’s future remains uncertain, leaving residents anxious about potential widespread destruction.READ FULL

Israel launched airstrikes against Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, killing at least 492 people and causing tens of thousands to flee. The Israeli military struck approximately 1,600 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Lebanon’s health ministry reported 35 children among the dead and 1,645 wounded. The conflict has raised fears of a wider war involving the US and Iran. The US has urged restraint and is seeking diplomatic solutions to prevent escalation. Hezbollah vowed to continue fighting until a ceasefire in Gaza.READ FULL

Hezbollah and Israel exchanged heavy fire over the weekend, escalating tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border. Israel conducted intense bombardments, targeting Hezbollah positions and commanders, while Hezbollah launched rockets deep into northern Israel. Both sides vowed to continue operations, with Hezbollah declaring an “open-ended battle of reckoning.” The conflict has led to evacuations on both sides of the border. The UN special coordinator warned of an “imminent catastrophe” and called for a non-military solution. The escalation is linked to the ongoing Gaza conflict.READ FULL

An Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City’s Al-Shati refugee camp killed at least 7 people, according to local rescuers. The Israeli military claims it targeted Hamas fighters operating from the school grounds. This attack is the latest in a series of strikes on schools housing displaced Gazans. The incident follows a similar strike on Saturday that reportedly killed 21 people. Since the war began, at least 41,391 Palestinians have been killed, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.READ FULL

A devastating mine explosion in eastern Iran has resulted in 51 fatalities, according to updated reports from state media. The blast occurred at the Tabas mine, with the death toll rising significantly from an earlier estimate of 30 casualties. In addition to the fatalities, 20 workers have been injured in the incident. The official IRNA news agency released the revised figures, highlighting the severity of the accident in Iran’s mining sector.READ FULL

Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah, West Bank, issuing a 45-day closure order. This follows Israel’s recent revocation of press credentials for Al Jazeera journalists and a ban on the channel’s operations in Israel. Heavily armed troops entered the office, with a soldier instructing staff to remove cameras and leave immediately. The incident was broadcast live, showing the confrontation between Israeli forces and Al Jazeera’s West Bank bureau chief Walid al-Omari.READ FULL

An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb has killed 31 people, including seven women and three children, according to Lebanon’s health minister. The strike, which targeted a Hezbollah commander and operatives, was the deadliest in Beirut since 2006. It came after Hezbollah launched intense rocket attacks on northern Israel. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing border conflict, which has forced thousands to evacuate on both sides. Israel has officially declared stopping Hezbollah’s attacks as a war goal.READ FULL

Hezbollah operations commander Ibrahim Aqil was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday. Aqil, who had a $7 million US bounty on his head, was accused of involvement in the 1983 Beirut truck bombings that killed over 300 Americans. He was a founding member of Hezbollah and part of its top military body, the Jihad Council. This marks the second high-ranking Hezbollah official killed by Israel in two months, following Fuad Shukr’s death in July. The strike comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.READ FULL

A second wave of explosions in Lebanon’s Hezbollah strongholds killed 20 people and wounded over 450, following earlier pager blasts that killed 12. The attacks, blamed on Israel, involved booby-trapped walkie-talkies and pagers. Tensions are escalating, with fears of a full-scale war. Hezbollah vowed revenge, while Israel hinted at expanding its military operations northward. The incidents have overwhelmed Lebanese hospitals and raised concerns about Hezbollah’s communication security. International diplomats are meeting in Paris to address the crisis.READ FULL

Mossad, Israel’s spy agency, reportedly planted explosives in 5,000 pagers imported by Hezbollah, which detonated across Lebanon, killing 9 and injuring nearly 3,000. This unprecedented security breach involved modifying pagers at the production level, with explosives activated by a coded message. Hezbollah had been using pagers to avoid Israeli tracking. The incident has heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah amid ongoing cross-border conflicts since October 2023.READ FULL

Israel has expanded its war aims to include halting Hezbollah attacks on its northern border with Lebanon, in addition to its ongoing offensive against Hamas in Gaza. This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the region to revive stalled ceasefire talks. The Gaza death toll has reached 41,252. Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly will debate a resolution demanding an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within 12 months. Qatar reports ongoing efforts for a Gaza truce.READ FULL

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed 16 Palestinians, including women and children. A strike on Nuseirat refugee camp killed 10, while another in Gaza City killed six. The Awda Hospital confirmed casualties and injuries. Israel claims to target only militants, accusing Hamas of operating in residential areas. Since the war began after Hamas’ October 7 attack, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than half being women and children. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 militants.READ FULL

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has thanked Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah for supporting their conflict with Israel. In a letter, Sinwar praised Hezbollah’s actions as part of the “axis of resistance.” This marks Sinwar’s first reported communication since becoming Hamas leader in August. Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israel since the Gaza war began, stating they will cease attacks once a ceasefire is established in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has increased threats of invading Lebanon and expanded its attacks to include Beirut.READ FULL

An Israeli airstrike in Syria’s Quneitra province killed two people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This follows recent raids in Hama province that reportedly killed 18-27 people. Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria, targeting Iran-backed fighters and Syrian army positions. The region has seen increased tension since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023. While Syria has tried to avoid direct involvement, Hezbollah has launched attacks from Lebanon and Syria against Israeli-held Golan Heights in support of Hamas.READ FULL

Israeli forces conducted raids in the northern West Bank, resulting in at least 33 Palestinian deaths and 130 injuries since last Wednesday, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The operations, focused on Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, targeted alleged armed fighters. Israeli military reported killing 14 fighters and arresting 25 in Jenin. The raids have caused significant infrastructure damage, with 70% of Jenin’s roads destroyed.READ FULL

UN experts raised alarm over Iran’s surge in executions, with 81 in August alone, bringing the 2024 total to over 400. The experts criticized executions for drug offenses and highlighted concerns about fair trials. They cited the case of Reza Rasaei, a Kurdish protester executed despite questionable evidence. The experts called for a halt to executions, fearing innocent individuals may have been put to death.READ FULL

Thousands of grieving and angry Israelis protested in the streets, demanding a ceasefire with Hamas after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza. The mass demonstration was the largest in 11 months of war, with the public furious over the government’s failure to secure the hostages’ release. Protests were fueled by the revelation that three of the victims were scheduled for release under a proposed ceasefire deal. The tragedy has exposed deep divisions within Israel’s government over the handling of the conflict.READ FULL

A polio vaccination campaign has begun in Gaza Strip, with UN-announced “humanitarian pauses” to facilitate large-scale immunization. The campaign aims to vaccinate over 640,000 children aged 0-10 years, following the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years. Israel has agreed to three-day pauses in different areas to allow vaccinations. WHO has sent 1.26 million oral vaccine doses, with 159 vaccination centers identified across Gaza. The second dose will be administered four weeks after the first. READ FULL

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group has arrived in the Middle East, joining another carrier already in the region. This deployment comes amid heightened tensions following assassinations linked to Israel. The US Defense Secretary ordered the Lincoln to accelerate its arrival. China has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon due to the tense situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border and complex security circumstances in the country. AFP

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its accompanying destroyers have arrived in the Middle East, bringing the number of US carriers in the region to two. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions following recent assassinations linked to Israel. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the carrier group to accelerate its transit to the area. The arrival is in response to fears of regional conflict and potential retaliation from Hezbollah and Iran. AFP

UNESCO reports that since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, at least 1.4 million girls have been denied access to secondary education. Additionally, 1.1 million fewer children are attending primary school. The agency warns of potential increases in child labor and early marriage due to this educational crisis. With 80% of school-age girls now out of school, UNESCO describes the situation as wiping out two decades of educational progress, jeopardizing the future of an entire generation. AFP

Israel continues airstrikes on Gaza ahead of ceasefire talks, with the death toll reaching nearly 40,000. Iran threatens retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The US hopes a Gaza ceasefire could deter Iranian attacks on Israel. President Biden approved $20 billion in new weapons sales to Israel. Western governments issue travel advisories for Lebanon and prepare evacuation plans amid escalating tensions. The Israeli military reports striking over 40 sites across Gaza in the past 24 hours. AFP

The Biden administration has approved over $20 billion in new weapons sales to Israel, including 50 F-15 fighter jets and thousands of tank and mortar cartridges. This decision comes despite pressure from human rights groups to halt arms deliveries due to civilian casualties in Gaza. The weapons will take years to reach Israel. The move has sparked criticism from some Democrats and rights activists, who argue it gives Israel “carte blanche” to continue military operations in Gaza. AFP

Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israeli military targets in Kiryat Shmona and the occupied Golan Heights, injuring two Israeli soldiers and damaging a building. The group used Falaq, Katyusha, and Burkan rockets, targeting multiple installations including brigade headquarters and an air base. Hezbollah stated the attacks were in retaliation for Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese villages. Israel responded with airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. AFP

Hezbollah has launched new attacks on Israeli military targets, including rocket strikes on an outpost in Metulla and a troop gathering in Admit settlement. These operations were in retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah commander Muhammad Nimah Nasser in southern Lebanon. The resistance group also released footage of strikes on Israeli bases in the occupied Golan Heights and northern Palestine. Hezbollah claims to have fired over 200 rockets and drones in response to the assassination. bd-pratidin

In Gaza’s tent cities, over 150,000 people have contracted skin diseases due to poor living conditions and lack of sanitation, according to the WHO. Scabies, chickenpox, lice, and other infections are widespread among displaced residents, particularly affecting children. The situation is exacerbated by polluted water, malnutrition, and inadequate hygiene facilities. Health workers fear the spread of more severe conditions like leishmaniasis as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Source AFP

Hezbollah drone attack in Golan Heights wounded 18 Israeli soldiers, one seriously. The Lebanese resistance group targeted an Israeli brigade headquarters in retaliation for Israeli strikes. Israel reported airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Three Hezbollah fighters were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Houla village. Hezbollah vows to continue attacks as long as Israel’s Gaza offensive, which has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, continues. bd-pratidin

Israeli forces advanced further into northern Gaza’s Shejaia neighborhood and southern Rafah, killing at least six Palestinians and destroying homes. Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to eliminating Hamas and returning hostages. Hamas released a video showing weapons production in defiance. In the West Bank, one man was killed in an Israeli strike. Ceasefire efforts remain stalled, with Hamas demanding a full Israeli withdrawal and Israel insisting on eradicating Hamas. Source NDTV

American doctors returning from Gaza report dire medical conditions, including rampant infections and lack of supplies. They witnessed agonizing decisions, such as abandoning treatment for a severely burned child. The medics are now lobbying U.S. officials to pressure Israel to allow more aid into Gaza. They stress the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, regardless of political views, and highlight the high number of child casualties in the conflict. AFP

UNRWA chief reports 10 children in Gaza lose legs daily due to the ongoing conflict, totaling around 2,000 since the war began. Up to 21,000 children are estimated missing. The Gaza health ministry reports over 37,658 deaths. UNRWA faces funding crisis and allegations of staff involvement with Hamas, though probes found limited evidence. The agency has cash until August but faces a $140 million shortfall. Source AFP

Hezbollah fired “dozens” of rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike in south Lebanon. This follows escalating tensions and a warning from Hezbollah’s leader. Israel confirmed striking a Hezbollah operative and a missile launcher. Cross-border violence since October has killed 479 in Lebanon and 26 in Israel. The UN special coordinator for Lebanon called for both sides to stop firing and commit to sustainable solutions, emphasizing there’s “no inevitability to conflict.” AFP

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck the northeastern Iranian city of Kashmar, killing at least four people and injuring 120 others. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, caused significant damage to dilapidated buildings in urban and rural areas. Thirty-five people were hospitalized, and rescue efforts are underway amid the rubble. Iran is prone to earthquakes due to its location on multiple tectonic plates.

A U.S. envoy visited Israel to press for de-escalation with Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, which has fired over 5,000 projectiles into Israel since the start of the Gaza war in October. The envoy met Israeli leaders, with Israel accusing Hezbollah of aggression instigated by Iran. The U.N. has warned of the risk of miscalculation leading to a wider escalation in the region.