World

trending-news-hezbollah-war-over-100-israeli-military-vehicles-spotted-at-lebanese-border-by-golan-heights-amidst-yaroun-setback

Thu Oct 03 22:34:16 IST 2024

Amidst Beirut taking critical damage due to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, more than 100 IDF vehicles were reportedly found stationed near the Lebanese border.

Confirming the presence of Israeli military units through sourced satellite imagery, news outlet Al Jazeera said that the vehicles were positioned about three kilometres from the Lebanese border north of occupied Golan Heights. The area was identified as Kfar Giladi by the media. Although Syrian territory, two-thirds of the Golan Heights was occupied by Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War.

ALSO READ | Lebanon: Hezbollah's Falaq missiles pose a threat to Israel soldiers involved in ground op

However, there was no information on the objective of these military vehicles as Tel Aviv maintains that only Hezbollah pockets would be targeted in the "ground incursions" in Lebanon. The satellite images were captured by Airbus, the report said, adding that this was the location used by the IDF to evacuate its personnel in early October during an emergency.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed to have thwarted another push by the IDF to advance through the town of Yaroun using explosives. The IDF units suffered casualties in the bomb blast, the Iran-backed militia claimed. Israeli soldiers were also targeted by rockets in the Al-Thaghra area on the outskirts of Odaisseh town, it added. At least four targeted explosions were executed by its fighters in the last 24 hours in Maroun al-Ras and Yaroun, Hezbollah said. IDF suffered heavy losses due to these attacks, the militia was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.

ALSO READ | Biden says 'discussing' possible Israeli strikes on Iran's oil sites

Israel has not talked about its units suffering any casulties in the recent hours at the hands of the enemy.

Lebanon conflict: Latest news

Israel said it killed 15 Hezbollah militants in south Lebanon on Thursday and bombed Beirut after its forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes with the Iran-backed group. Israel, which has been fighting with Hamas in Gaza for almost a year, sent its troops into southern Lebanon after two weeks of intense airstrikes, in an escalating conflict that risks drawing in the United States and Iran.

biden-says-discussing-possible-israeli-strikes-on-irans-oil-sites

Thu Oct 03 22:19:21 IST 2024

Amid talks of Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Iran, United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he was “discussing” the possible strikes on Tehran’s oil sites.

Biden’s comments came after Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel following Tel Aviv’s ground incursion in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.

ALSO READ | Iran fires 181 missiles at Israel; Netanyahu warns 'they will pay for it'

While speaking to reporters at the White House, Biden said that he was not expecting Israel to launch any retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel anytime soon.

Earlier there were reports that Israel is planning to launch targeted airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Biden had stood firm on the stand that the US will not back Israel if it attacks Iranian nuclear sites further deepening the Middle East crisis.

Meanwhile, amid reports of Israel’s targeted attack on Tehran’s oil sites, the oil prices skyrocketed. Oil prices jumped five per cent over concerns about the Middle East after Biden’s response to the attack.

ALSO READ | Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei had intel on Israel's plans to kill Nasrallah; warned him to flee Lebanon

With nearly a month before the US elections, a rise in oil prices could be affecting the candidates.

When asked whether he would allow Israel to retaliate against Iran, Biden said, "First of all, we don't 'allow' Israel, we advise Israel. And nothing is going to happen today."

ALSO READ | 'Iran spy tipped off Israel about Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's location before airstrike'

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation after Iran’s attack.

Also, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said it killed Hezbollah commander, Khader Shahabiya, who was responsible for a rocket attack on Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children and teenagers on a football field in July.

Iran has launched over 100 missiles at Israel after Tel Aviv intensified its attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. A targeted Israeli strike on Beirut killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, along with 19 other top leaders of the group.

Earlier Netanyahu had warned Tehran that it could reach anywhere in Iran. After Nasrallah's death, there were reports that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei was the next target. Khamenei was shifted to a safer place with more security measures after that.

from-power-dynamics-to-shifting-political-landscapes-key-factors-that-pushed-middle-east-to-brink-of-war

Thu Oct 03 23:13:17 IST 2024

The rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East reflects a complex interplay of historical grievances, power dynamics, and shifting political landscapes. Recent events, including Israel's military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, the killing of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, and Iran's missile attacks on Israel, have escalated tensions to unprecedented levels. Against this backdrop, it is important to understand the key reasons behind the downward spiral, and perhaps even an impending all-out war in the Middle East.

ALSO READ | Politics over peace? Netanyahu's speech at UN decoded

The decline of American hegemony

The first major factor in this crisis is the gradual decline of American hegemony in global politics. For decades, the United States has played a dominant role in the Middle East, acting as a key mediator in conflicts and a primary supporter of Israel. However, the rise of multipolarity in international relations has shifted the balance of power. Regional players such as Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are increasingly asserting their influence, often in ways that challenge US interests.

The decline of US influence has also emboldened extra-regional powers like China and Russia to pursue their agendas, complicating the landscape further.

Iran’s support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah has grown in this environment, as Tehran seeks to position itself as a counterbalance to both US and Israeli interests. The waning of the US role as the primary peace broker has created a vacuum that regional actors are eager to fill, leading to heightened tensions and an increased likelihood of conflict.

ALSO READ | How Israel planned Nasrallah's murder, dropped 80 bombs within minutes

Presidential election in the US

A second crucial factor is the presidential election in the US. The political landscape in Washington influences how the US engages with Israel and other Middle Eastern actors. With a relatively weaker president in Joe Biden, Israel sees an opportunity to act unilaterally.

Historically, strong American presidents have been able to exert pressure on Israel to temper its actions. For instance, in 1991, President George H.W. Bush played a crucial role in pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir to participate in the Madrid Peace Conference and to pause settlement constructions. After winning the Iraq war caused by Saddam Hussain’s invasion of Kuwait, Bush was all-powerful, domestically as well as internationally.

ALSO READ | Top Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strikes so far

In contrast, Biden has struggled to make a similar impact. His administration has issued strong statements against Netanyahu's actions but has refrained from implementing concrete measures to enforce compliance.

Both Republicans and Democrats face significant political pressure to support Israel, making it unlikely that the White House would take a strong stance against Israeli military actions. Biden's diminishing popularity further complicates the situation, leaving him without the political clout necessary to compel change.

Netanyahu’s political manoeuvring

Benjamin Netanyahu's actions as Israel's prime minister play a pivotal role in the current crisis. Following the October 7 attacks, Netanyahu found himself in a precarious political position, grappling with internal dissent and public outrage over perceived security failures.

Historically, crises often serve as a rallying point for leaders facing domestic challenges. By launching military operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Iran, Netanyahu has not only shifted focus away from his own political vulnerabilities but has also galvanised public support.

This military strategy serves dual purposes: it addresses immediate security threats while consolidating Netanyahu's political position. By eliminating key figures in Hamas and Hezbollah, Netanyahu strengthens his narrative of security and resilience, potentially bolstering his chances in upcoming elections.

The rising tide of nationalism and support for military action among the Israeli public creates an environment in which Netanyahu can operate with relative impunity.

Rightward shift in Israeli public opinion

The Israeli public's rightward shift is another critical factor in the current crisis. Increased security concerns, the never-ending regional conflict, and nationalist rhetoric have influenced public opinion to favour more hardline policies. This shift is reflected in the electoral success of right-wing parties advocating for aggressive military action and minimal compromise in peace negotiations.

Social and economic disparities have further fueled this trend, prompting many Israelis to seek stability through a robust security posture. The current political climate is polarised, with young Israelis increasingly supporting Netanyahu and his hardline policies. This polarisation incentivises leaders to prolong military campaigns, as a strong national defence resonates more with their constituents than peace negotiations that might appear conciliatory.

The October 7 attacks

Finally, the October 7 attacks by Hamas represent a significant turning point. Viewed by many as a tactical error, these assaults provided Israel with a pretext for an all-out military response. While Hamas and potentially Iran may have seen the attacks as a means to counter the normalisation of relations between Israel and Arab states—such as the Abraham Accords—the unintended consequences have been severe.

The scale of the assault galvanised Israeli public opinion, unifying political factions around the need for aggressive military action. The Israeli government's subsequent military operations aimed to dismantle Hamas's infrastructure, resulting in widespread devastation in Gaza and exacerbating humanitarian crises.

This violence has not only deepened the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also impacted the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

The intersection of these factors—the decline of American influence, the American political climate, Netanyahu's strategic manoeuvring, the rightward shift in Israeli public opinion, and the recent attacks—has created a perfect storm in the Middle East.

The next few days and weeks will be critical in determining the trajectory of this conflict. As regional tensions escalate, the potential for all-out war looms larger than ever.

from-abortion-rights-to-immigration-policy-melania-trumps-upcoming-memoir-touches-upon-a-range-of-issues

Thu Oct 03 20:59:19 IST 2024

Melania Trump in her upcoming new memoir describes how she made her husband, then president Donald Trump, drop the hardline immigration policy and reveals her stand on abortion rights.

The controversial immigration policy under which migrant children were separated from their parents created a domestic and international uproar.

Emphasising the trauma it was causing these families, Melania said, "This has to stop". The policy ended on 20 June 2018.

The former first lady's memoir will be published in the US next week.

Also, Melania defended abortion and reproductive rights. She had pointed out that a woman has the right to an abortion, while Donald Trump backed the ability for the US states to restrict the procedure.

"Restricting a woman's right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body. I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life," Guardian quoted Melania as saying in the memoir.

Immigration issues and abortion rights are key topics discussed and debated in the United States elections 2024. The elections will be held on November 5, when the Americans will choose between Republican Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

In the memoir, Melania writes about "disagreements" between her and her husband. Though political disagreements were part of their relationship, both chose to address them privately rather than publicly.

"I found our discussions more productive when we could have a quiet dialogue at home, out of the public eye."

She also mentioned that before discussing any crisis with him, she used to educate herself on the topic or situation.

"Children being held in overcrowded detention centres and in absolute squalor...raised serious questions about their health and well-being. The lack of a clear plan for reuniting families and the absence of a definitive policy on these separations only added to public outrage. I felt strongly that the situation demanded urgent attention and action."

"As an immigrant myself, I intimately understand the necessary if arduous process of legally becoming an American," she says.

Melania, born in Slovenia, became a US citizen in July 2006.

However, the memoir does not address the allegations of Donald Trump's sexual encounter with Stormy Daniels or any felony charges regarding hush-money payments.

Melania's visit to the southern border and the controversy surrounding it were also mentioned in the memoir. Her second visit to meet the desperate migrant children at the southern border triggered controversy over a jacket she was wearing that day saying, "I really don't care, do U?"

"I was determined...not to let the media's false narratives affect my mission to help the children and families at the border," she writes.

did-israel-kill-nasrallahs-likely-heir-safieddine-idf-strikes-hezbollahs-underground-bunker-near-beirut

Fri Oct 04 08:13:16 IST 2024

Israel continued its targetted killing of Hezbollah leaders on Thursday, striking an underground bunker near the Lebanese capital Beirut, which is said to have killed the militant group's presumed new chief Hashem Safieddine.

Safieddine was meeting other Hezbollah leaders in an underground bunker bombed by Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and there is no word so far on his fate, according to The New York Times. Both Israel and Hezbollah have so far not responded to the reports.

Hashem Safieddine is the presumed successor of Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezbollah's longtime chief who was assassinated in an airstrike in Lebanon last week. Safieddine is believed to have close links to Iran and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei.

Also read: Who is Hashem Safieddine? Hassan Nasrallah's cousin who could lead Hezbollah is a US-designated terrorist

The report added that Hezbollah’s senior leadership was meeting inside the bunker around midnight on Thursday when IDF struck, according to three Israeli officials.

Hours before the strike, Israel had issued an evacuation order for the Burj al-Barajneh neighbourhood in southern Beirut late on Thursday night. Soon afterwards, around midnight, a series of huge explosions rocked the Dahiya. Such was the intensity of the attack that shock waves were felt at least 15 miles away. Lebanese media said this was one of the heaviest bombardments in the area since the war began last October.

More killings

Israel has said it also targeted Hezbollah commander Rashid Shafti on Thursday. Shafti is the group’s official in charge of the telecommunications and computer division in Beirut and was injured in the pager blasts that happened earlier this month.

Also read: Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei had intel on Israel's plans to kill Nasrallah; warned him to flee Lebanon

The IDF said in a statement on Thursday that it had also killed Mahmoud Yusef Anisi, a Hezbollah official it said had been involved in the group’s precision-guided missile manufacturing chain in Lebanon.

It added that airstrikes were held across 200 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including weapons-storage facilities and observation posts. It had earlier asked people to leave Nabatieh, a provincial capital, and other communities north of the Litani river, which formed the northern edge of the border zone established by the UN Security Council after the two sides fought a war in 2006. Each side accuses the other of violating the resolution.

as-ayathollah-khamenei-readies-to-give-a-rare-friday-sermon-today-iranian-fms-plane-lands-in-beirut

Fri Oct 04 13:35:09 IST 2024

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the prayers on Friday, the first time in five years. This will be followed by a commemoration ceremony for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month.

The prayers will kick off at 10:30 am Tehran time at Grand Mosalla Mosque. Besides Nasrallah, the Supreme Leader will also pray for his companions, including Iranian General Abbas Nilforushan. The event will mark Khamenei's first public appearance since rumours began circulating that Iran has moved him to a secure location in the wake of Nasrallah's death. This also comes three days before the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The last time Khamenei led Friday prayers was in January 2020 after the US airstrike that killed Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander Qassem Soleimani.

Thousands of Hezbollah supporters staged a protest outside the former US embassy building in Tehran on Thursday to protest against "Israel's crimes". Khamenei had declared public mourning in Iran for Nasrallah and on Wednesday said that the Hezbollah chief's death was "not a small matter".

The Supreme Leader had met students and scientists on Wednesday in his first public appearance since ordering a missile attack on Israel. Though Tehran says he was still in mourning over the death of Nasrallah, "being in mourning does not mean being depressed and sitting in a corner."

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi landed in Beirut on Friday. Lebanese state media said an Iranian-flagged plane landed at Beirut airport. This comes as Israel continues to strike the airport perimeter.

Araqchi will meet Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who is a close ally of Iran-backed Hezbollah. But, the purpose of his visit is not clear.

war-lebanon-hezbollah-s-falaq-missiles-pose-a-threat-to-israel-soldiers-involved-in-ground-op

Thu Oct 03 18:42:25 IST 2024

To thwart the efforts by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to make advancements on the ground, Hezbollah claimed to have launched several missiles at their positions. Following the beginning of the ground invasion of Lebanon by the Israeli military, Hezbollah targeted enemies east of the Sasa settlement in northern Israel with "Falaq" missiles, Al Jazeera said. In a separate attack, Hezbollah also fired missiles at another group of enemy units to the west of Sasa, it added.

Here is what you need to know about the Falaq missiles, the Iranian-made weapons that are being fired at Israel by Hezbollah.

ALSO READ | After 24 years, Israel kills Palestinian man who carried out Ramallah lynching in 2000

The first known use of Falaq rockets by Hezbollah against Israel happened in 2005. However, it was an accidental launch. The next year, they were among the most used weapons against the IDF during the Second Lebanon War.

'Falaq', sometimes referred to as 'Falagh', is a family of unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets. Hezbollah's artillery office has claimed to have fired Falaq-1 and Falaq-2 missiles at IDF positions in recent days. Developed by Tehran's weapon experts in the 1990s, Falaq missiles are not the most accurate rockets available in the world.

Both Falaq -1 and 2 are solid-fueled, spin-stabilized, and can be launched from trucks or boats. A man-portable variant of Falaq 1 is also available with Hezbollah. These unguided missiles are known to have a margin of error of up to three kilometres, reports said.

ALSO READ | Hamas govt head in Gaza among three top leaders eliminated in airstrikes, says Israel

The Falaq-1 rockets have a range of 10-11 km while carrying a 50 kg high explosive warhead. With a body diameter of 240 mm, they are 1.32 m long and possess a total launch weight of 111 kg. The Falaq-2 also boasts a similar range but can manage a 120 kg warhead. The 1.82 m long rocket's body is 333 mm in diameter and has a launch weight of 255 kg. It has a fragmentation radius of around 300 m, CSIS Missile Defense Project's Missile Threat website said.

Hezbollah-Israel war: Latest updates

Israel's military urged residents of over 20 towns in south Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately on Thursday as it pressed on with an incursion after suffering its worst losses in a year of fighting the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The call for evacuations from southern towns included the provincial capital Nabatieh, suggesting another Israeli operation designed to further weaken Hezbollah is imminent. Israel, which has been fighting with Hamas in Gaza for almost a year, sent its troops into southern Lebanon after two weeks of intense airstrikes, escalating tensions in a conflict that risks drawing in the United States and Iran.

hamas-govt-head-in-gaza-among-three-top-leaders-eliminated-in-airstrikes-says-israel

Thu Oct 03 17:46:23 IST 2024

Amid ongoing attacks in Lebanon, the Israel military on Thursday said that a targeted strike carried out three months ago had killed three senior Hamas figures.

Rawhi Mushtaha, the head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip; Sameh al-Siraj, who held the security portfolio on Hamas' political bureau and Hamas' labour committee; and Sami Oudeh, commander of Hamas's general security mechanism were killed in the strike months ago, claimed IDF.

“Hamas did not announce their deaths as it had done following previous eliminations, in order to prevent loss of morale and functioning of its terror operatives,” said a statement by IDF.

ALSO READ | Did Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah agree to ceasefire before being killed by Israel?

Israel accused the three men of having conducted terrorism against Israel, and said "IDF and ISA will continue to pursue all of the terrorists responsible for the 7 October massacre."

Mushtaha is considered the “right-hand man” to Hamas's top leader Yahya Sinwar. Mushtaha also oversaw Hamas’ financial affairs. In 2015, the United States designated him as a “specially designated global terrorist.”

ALSO READ | Top Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strikes so far

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has killed over 40,000 people in Gaza. Israel has vowed to continue the fight till the militant group is “destroyed”.

Meanwhile, IDF has issued another order to residents of neighbouring Lebanon to flee their homes, including from the city of Nabatieh, one of Lebanon’s largest populated areas.

ALSO READ | How IDF uncovered Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon ahead of ground incursion

Also, over 1.2 million people were displaced in Lebanon since the recent Israel-Hezbollah attacks.

With Middle East tensions escalating, the emir of Qatar has called for serious ceasefire efforts to stop what he described as Israel’s “aggression” against Lebanon.

Qatar along with the US and Egypt has been acting as a broker in trying to organise a ceasefire and release of hostages with Hamas.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani criticised Israel for carrying out a “collective genocide” on neighbouring countries. He added that no peace is possible in the region unless there is the formation of a Palestinian state.

after-24-years-israel-kills-palestinian-man-who-carried-out-ramallah-lynching-in-2000

Thu Oct 03 17:23:34 IST 2024

A Palestinian, said to have participated in the lynching of two Israeli soldiers in West Bank's Ramallah 24 years ago, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, according to Israeli media reports. Aziz Salha became infamous after he was photographed waving his hands that were covered in the blood of two IDF reserved soldiers that he and others lynched.

The brutal lynching that shocked Israel happened in the first weeks of the Second Palestinian uprising, or Intifada, in October 2000. Reservist soldiers Yosef Avrahami and Vadim Norzhic accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up in the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Ramallah in the West Bank. Though the Palestinian officials detained the men and took them to the nearby police station, a group of Palestinians, who were part of a passing funeral marchers, broke into a police station. This happened after rumours spread that Israeli undercover agents were being detained at the police station, prompting a crowd of over 1,000 to gather, calling for their deaths.

They beat and stabbed the soldiers to death before mutilating their bodies. Salha's image of displaying his bloodied hands had defined the violence between Israel and Palestine.

However, it is unclear as to whether Salha was specifically targeted or accidentally killed in an airstrike in the centre of the strip.

Though Salha was later captured by Israel and sentenced to prison in 2004 for his role in the murder, he was released seven years later in a prison exchange deal. Salha was exchanged for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier kidnapped and held by Hamas in Gaza. Besides Salha, another perpetrator of the lynching was Nasser Abu Hamid, who died from cancer in December 2022.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike Hamas command centres in Gaza. IAF fighter jets struck a school that was no longer used, killing some 20 people on Wednesday. The military said that two of the command centres were located in schools and a third was embedded in a compound in central Gaza that had previously served as the Nuseirat Girls’ School.

Israel accuses Hamas of using schools as a base to plan and carry out attacks against Israel.

israel-hits-back-after-irans-attack-six-killed-in-airstrikes-on-beirut

Thu Oct 03 12:59:43 IST 2024

Hours after Israel lost its eight soldiers in the ground invasion in Lebanon and Iran fired over 100 missiles into its territory, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) hit back with vengeance, bombing the Lebanese capital, killing six and injuring seven.

Israel said it conducted a precise airstrike in central Beirut in the early hours of Thursday, with Reuters quoting sources as saying that a building in Bashoura neighbourhood close to parliament was targeted. Lebanese authorities confirmed that at least six people had died and seven were wounded, and that three missiles also hit Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last week.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV station said the strike targeted its health unit.

ALSO READ: India calls for restraint as Iran’s attack on Israel pushes Middle East closer to a regional war

Israel's latest airstrikes came after it lost eight soldiers, including four belonging to the Egoz Commando Unit, in the grou nd combat with Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. Hezbollah also said it had destroyed three Israeli Merkava tanks with rockets near Maroun El Ras.

In the past 24 hours, at least 46 people have died in central and south Lebanon in Israeli airstrikes.

Late on Wednesday, an apartment building near the Lebanese capital's city centre, the second time Israel has struck central Beirut this week. At least two people were killed and 11 wounded in the strike in the residential Bashoura district.

An Israeli airstrike also hit a residential building in Damascus on Wednesday evening, killing three people and wounding at least three others, according to Syria's state-run SANA news agency.

Iran fires 'warning shot' to Israel

Tuesday saw Iran, which supports both Hezbollah and the Hamas which runs the Gaza Strip, firing a wave of at least 180 ballistic missiles into Israel, in a bid to dissuade it from attacking Lebanon. However, Israel and the US said they will respond to the attack.

ALSO READ: Iran fired Emad and Ghadr variants of Shahab-3 missiles at Israel

Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel's air defence mechanism. IDF confirmed that its airbases suffered damages in the attack, but no aircraft, drones or fighter jets at these facilities were hit and none of its personnel suffered any injuries.

Tension between Israel and Iran escalated after Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader of the Hamas, was killed in Tehran on August 1. Iran blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and vowed strong retaliation. With the US backing Israel, the attacks could well escalate into a wider regional conflict.

In Gaza, IDF's ground and air operations killed at least 51 people, Palestinian medical authorities said. Israel has been attacking “Hamas targets” across the Gaza Strip nearly a year after Hamas' October 7 attack in Israel.

Israel lashes out at United Nations

Israel declared Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata, or banned from entering the country. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused him of failing to unequivocally condemn Iran's missile attack.

"I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict, with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a cease-fire," Guterres had said in a brief statement.

"This is an anti-Israel Secretary-General who lends support to terrorists, rapists, and murderers," Katz was quoted as saying by the Haaretz.

The move deepens an already wide rift between Israel and the United Nations.

did-hezbollah-leader-hassan-nasrallah-agree-to-ceasefire-before-being-killed-by-israel

Thu Oct 03 15:15:09 IST 2024

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's death in Lebanon in Israeli airstrikes last week has been one of the major escalation points in the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East.

But, could it have been avoided? In an interview with CNN, Lebanon Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said that Nasrallah had agreed to a ceasefire with Israel shortly before he was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. He said that Lebanon had agreed to ceasefire after consulting with Hezbollah.

“He (Nasrallah) agreed, he agreed. The Lebanese House Speaker, Mr Nabih Berri, consulted with Hezbollah and we informed the Americans and the French about the agreement,” Bou Habib said.

ALSO READ: How Israel planned Nasrallah's murder

He also claimed that the United States and French representatives told them that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, too, had given the nod to the agreement put out by the US, France, and other allies about a 21-day ceasefire on September 25, following a meeting between US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the UN General Assembly in New York.

ALSO READ: How do bunker-buster bombs work?

Netanyahu had rejected the ceasefire proposal a day later, asking the IDF to continue "fighting with full force".

On September 28, Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death in the Israeli airstrike.

He was, reportedly, in a bunker in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh when it was hit by Israeli bombs. His body had no direct wounds, reports said, suggesting that the trauma from the force of the blast could have killed him.

ALSO READ: Top Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strikes so far

Israel has launched a “limited” ground invasion in Lebanon since October 1, which has resulted in the deaths of eight Israeli soldiers. Reports suggest that close to 2,000 people have been killed and about 9,000 injured in Lebanon in Israeli attacks since Hezbollah entered the conflict post Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Israel is also fighting the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

bangladesh-recalls-india-envoy-amid-major-diplomatic-reshuffle

Thu Oct 03 15:15:35 IST 2024

In a major diplomatic reshuffle, Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus-led government has, reportedly, recalled five envoys, including the ambassador to India.

Reuters quoted a foreign ministry official as saying that the envoys in New Delhi, Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York have been asked to return to Dhaka immediately. They were asked to hand over their responsibilities immediately and return, the official said.

The envoys are: Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner to India; Mahbub Hassan Saleh, Ambassador to Belgium; M. Allama Siddiqui, High Commissioner to Australia; Rezina Ahmed, Ambassador to Portugal; and Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York.

ALSO READ: India’s Bangladesh conundrum

The move comes close on the heels of the sudden recall of Saida Muna Tasneem, the high commissioner in Britain.

An interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Yunus took over in Bangladesh after violent protests over a job quota order rocked the nation in July, eventually turning into an anti-government movement led by students, resulting in the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina regime. The country-wide agitation killed more than 700 people, and Hasina resigned on August 5 and fled to India. Yunus was appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on August 8.

ALSO READ: Modi, like Hasina, could become history, writes Mani Shankar Aiyar

The ties between India and Bangladesh have been strained following Hasina's departure. In fact, Bangladesh had, last month, asked India to address the matter of border killings seriously, in the backdrop of the death of a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl near the border. The foreign affairs ministry lodged a formal protest with the Indian government, saying that such incidents were “undesirable and unwarranted” and a violation of the provisions of the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities, 1975.

irans-ayatollah-khamenei-had-intel-on-israels-plans-to-kill-nasrallah-warned-him-to-flee-lebanon

Thu Oct 03 15:15:59 IST 2024

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had feared that Israel would get to Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, just days before the latter was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Khamenei also warned Nasrallah twice to flee Lebanon to Iran after the pager blasts rocked the country.

The Supreme Leader sent a message with an envoy to convince Nasrallah to leave Lebanon. Khamenei cited that he had intelligence reports that suggested Israel had operatives within Hezbollah and was planning to kill him, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

However, Nasrallah was confident in his security and trusted his inner circle completely. He insisted on staying in Lebanon, the official said.

The messenger was a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan. He too died in the air strike that killed Nasrallah as they were together inside the bunker when Israel rained bombs on them.

The assassination of Nasrallah has also stoked fears in Khamenei's mind that Israeli spies would have infiltrated the senior government ranks in Tehran too, three Iranian sources said. Iran also fears for the safety of Khamenei and there is a loss of trust within both Hezbollah and Iranian leadership and between them, the report added.

So much so that Iranian authorities are probing possible infiltrations within their own ranks, including powerful Revolutionary Guards to senior security officials. Those who travel abroad or have relatives living outside Iran have come under the scanner.

Certain members of IRGC who have been travelling to Lebanon are also being investigated. Earlier one person who is said to have asked about Nasrallah's whereabouts was arrested. The person, who was arrested with several others, had earlier inquired about how long Nasrallah would remain in specific locations.

The suspect’s family had relocated outside Iran, the official said, without identifying the suspect or his relatives.

This lack of trust could affect the smooth functioning of Iran’s Axis of Resistance alliance. "Basically, Iran lost the biggest investment it had for the past decades," Magnus Ranstorp, a Hezbollah expert at the Swedish Defense University, told Reuters.

The beating Hezbollah took at the hands of Israel not only damaged its capacity to strike at Israel's borders but also shook Iran to the core.

"It shows how Iran has deeply infiltrated also: they not only killed Nasrallah, they killed Nilforoushan,” he added.

The expert added that this might prompt Iran to return to its earlier tactic of attacking Israeli embassies and personnel abroad.

lebanon-war-maroun-al-ras-and-yaroun-where-israel-soldiers-face-stiff-fight-from-hezbollah-during-ground-invasion

Wed Oct 02 20:13:12 IST 2024

Both Hezbollah and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed having fought pitched battles on Wednesday, a day after Israel launched ground operations in Lebanon. While IDF maintains that its "ground incursions" remain limited, targeting Hezbollah pockets, infantry and armoured units were pushed to further support the commando squads, reports said.

ALSO READ | Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, 22, first IDF soldier to die in Israel's ground war against Hezbollah

But where is the ground fighting happening between Hezbollah and the IDF? The first confirmation today regarding ground battles between the rival sides came from the Lebanese town of Maroun al-Ras. Located just about two kilometres from the Israel-Lebanon border, IDF tried to infiltrate Maroun al-Ras -- only to face stiff resistance from Hezbollah fighters who stood ready. Having successfully repelled an infantry unit from penatrating its defence lines earlier, Hezbollah took Israeli soldiers head-on while trying to make inroads through the east of Maroun al-Ras, the Iran-backed group claimed. The battle lasted for over an hour, BBC reported, but there was no clear indication of its outcome.

Meanwhile, Israel confirmed the identity of its first fallen soldier after the ground offensive began. The late trooper was identified as 22-year-old Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, a team commander in the Egoz Commando Unit. A brief while later, Hezbollah claimed to have inflicted further casualties on IDF units which were trying to to encircle the village of Yaroun. Located in southern Lebanon, the Israeli soldiers were ambushed using an explosive device by their men, Hezbollah claimed, saying that "all members of the force" involved in the op were hit.

ALSO READ | Israeli Air Force base's office buildings damaged in Iran missile strike; no drones, jets hit: Report

The incident, however, was not acknowledged by the Israeli military leadership, BBC added.

Israel-Hezbollah war: Latest news

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel, telling the Security Council the "deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop. "Time is running out," he told the council.The 15-member council met after Israel killed the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah and began a ground assault against the Iran-backed militant group and Iran attacked Israel in a strike that raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East.

ALSO READ | How IDF uncovered Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon ahead of ground incursion

Tel Aviv, meanwhile, barred Guterres from entering the country. Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz declared Guterres persona non grata and banned him from the country for his failure to "unequivocally condemn" Iran's attack.

"Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil," Katz was quoted as saying by the Haaretz.

lebanon-captain-eitan-itzhak-oster-22-first-idf-soldier-to-die-in-israel-s-ground-war-against-hezbollah

Wed Oct 02 18:45:14 IST 2024

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday confirmed the first casualty after its ground operation against Hezbollah began in Lebanon. The late soldier was identified as 22-year-old Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster by the IDF.

ALSO READ | Israel bars UN secretary general Antonio Guterres from entering country

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army said one of its men was injured in an Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon.

Captain Eitan Oster was a team commander in the Egoz Commando Unit from Modi’in. He was killed during a battle with Hezbollah operatives in a village in southern Lebanon, The Times Of Israel quoted IDF as saying. The casualty was confirmed by the Israeli military on the same day that it pushed infantry and armoured units to join the ground operations in Lebanon.

ALSO READ | Iran fired Emad and Ghadr variants of Shahab-3 missiles at Israel: Reports

According to IDF's official website, the Egoz unit was established to combat Hezbollah "and to this day it specializes in guerrilla warfare, mainly along the northern border of the country." The Commando Brigade formed in 1995 "has a unique weapons division – the unit's development company, which is responsible for finding creative solutions and technological innovations for problems that arise in the field, and providing protection against new enemy attacks," the site further said.

Hezbollah said it was clashing with Israeli troops in the border town of Maroun el-Ras after it had pushed back forces near another border town. The group said it had also fired rockets at military posts inside Israel. The group's media chief Mohammad Afif said those battles were only "the first round" and that the group had enough fighters, weapons and ammunition to push back Israel.

ALSO READ | How IDF uncovered Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon ahead of ground incursion

Israel's addition of infantry and armoured troops from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armoured Brigade and 6th Infantry Brigade, suggests that the operation may move beyond limited commando raids, reported Reuters. The military has said its incursion is largely aimed at destroying tunnels and other infrastructure on the border and there were no plans for a wider operation targeting Beirut or major cities in southern Lebanon.

latest-news-lebanon-more-israeli-soldiers-all-in-their-early-20s-killed-in-ground-war-with-hezbollah-confirms-idf

Wed Oct 02 21:48:15 IST 2024

Only hours after confirming the death of Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster during the ground with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday confirmed that at least seven more soldiers were killed in action across the frontlines. Several other troopers including a medic suffered life-threatening injuries in the clashes with Hezbollah, IDF said.

ALSO READ | Maroun al-Ras and Yaroun: Where Israel soldiers face stiff fight from Hezbollah during ground invasion

Four of the fallen seven belonged to the Egoz Commando Unit to which Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster belonged. The 22-year-old team commander was earlier declared the first casualty of the ground war in Lebanon by Tel Aviv. The four commandos, including another a team commander, lost their lives in the same offensive in a southern Lebanon village where Captain Eitan Oster was killed, IDF was quoted as saying by The Times Of Israel. They were identified as team commander Cpt. Harel Etinger (23), Sgt. First Class Noam Barzilay (22), Sgt. First Class Nazar Itkin (21) and Sgt. First Class Or Mantzur (21).

Four more commandos and an officer were injured in the said operation.

ALSO READ | Israeli Air Force base's office buildings damaged in Iran missile strike; no drones, jets hit: Report

Meanwhile, two soldiers of the IDF's Golani recon unit were also killed in another part of the offensive. They were identified as Staff Sgt. Almken Terefe (21) and Staff Sgt. Ido Broyer (21).

The seventh fallen Israeli soldier was named as 23-year-old Cpt. Itai Ariel Giat of the Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit by the Israeli media.

israeli-air-force-base-office-buildings-damaged-in-iran-missile-strike-no-drones-jets-hit-report

Wed Oct 02 17:49:12 IST 2024

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that its airbases suffered damage in the missile strikes by Iran on Tuesday. However, the incident didn't handicap the operational capabilities of these Israeli Air Force (IAF) bases in any manner, IDF added.

ALSO READ | Iran fired Emad and Ghadr variants of Shahab-3 missiles at Israel: Reports

After around 180 missiles were launched at Israel, some of them hit the maintenance areas and office buildings of some Israeli Air Force bases. No aircraft stationed at these facilities were hit by the projectiles and none of its personnel suffered any injuries, officials reportedly told The Times Of Israel.

"No damage caused to fighter jets, drones, other aircraft, munitions and critical infrastructure," the report claims IAF as confirming.

Hours after the said strike, Israel was capable of using its air units to support offences in both Gaza and Lebanon, reports added. In a daring remark, Israel went on to call Iran's move "ineffective" as it failed to cause any significant damage to its assets or critical infrastructure. The number of ballistics launches is of little significance if they hit no targets and get thwarted successfully by air defence mechanisms, it reportedly added.

ALSO READ | How IDF uncovered Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon ahead of ground incursion

Middle East conflict escalates: The story so far

Iran fired waves of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, hours after Lebanon witnessed the beginning of ground operations by IDF units. Later on Wednesday, Israel confirmed that regular infantry and armoured units were joining its ground operations in Lebanon, stepping up the pressure on Hezbollah and Tehran.

ALSO READ | Israel bars UN secretary general Antonio Guterres from entering country

While most of Iran's projectiles were intercepted by the defence mechanisms in place, some landed in central and southern Israel and two people were lightly wounded by shrapnel. An Iranian commander threatened wider strikes on infrastructure if Israel retaliated against Iran's territory.

According to CNN, Iran used variants of the Shahab-3 ballistic missile in the latest attack on Israel. Part of Iran's defence plans since 2003, Shahab-3 missiles are capable of carrying warheads weighing 760 to 1,200 kilograms each. Its recent variants -- Emad and Ghadr missiles -- have accuracies of as close to 300 meters of their intended targets, the report added.

trending-news-iran-fired-emad-and-ghadr-variants-of-shahab-3-missiles-at-israel-reports

Wed Oct 02 17:48:44 IST 2024

Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel. While most were intercepted by the defence mechanisms in place, some landed in central and southern Israel and two people were lightly wounded by shrapnel. An Iranian commander threatened wider strikes on infrastructure if Israel retaliated against Iran's territory.

FULL REPORT | Iran launches missile attack on Israel, IDF urges residents to take shelter in bunkers

But which missiles were launched at Israel by Iran on Tuesday? While Tehran has not confirmed the identity of the projectiles used to target Israel, here is what we know so far.

Iran's arsenal has thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles at its disposal. Even the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)-run Missile Threat Project is unaware of exactly how many missiles of what type and range await deployment at Tehran's orders.

ALSO READ | Drone boat with explosives strikes two vessels in Red Sea, days after Israeli airstrike on Yemen’s Houthis

In January 2021, Iran claimed to have hit a naval target in the Indian Ocean over 1,800 km away using an antiship Emad missile variant during its Great Prophet 15 exercises, the official website of Missile Threat said.

All variants of Shahab-3 missiles can be fired from mobile launchers as well as silos.

Meanwhile, local media reports said that the hypersonic missiles Fattah-1 were also involved in the operation against Israel -- a claim that is being doubted by their Western counterparts. Capable of travelling at five times the speed of sound, especially during their towards the target, these missiles become incredibly difficult to shoot down.

israel-bans-un-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-from-country

Wed Oct 02 16:59:16 IST 2024

As the security situation worsened in the Middle East following Iran’s massive missile attack on Israel, Tel Aviv on Wednesday barred UN secretary general Antonio Guterres from entering the country.

Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz declared Guterres persona non grata and banned him from the country for his failure to "unequivocally condemn" Iran's attack.

"Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil," Katz was quoted as saying by the Haaretz.

"This is an anti-Israel Secretary-General who lends support to terrorists, rapists, and murderers," he said.

Tehran fired over 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday night in a major escalation of tension in the region. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that most of the missiles were intercepted by US and Israeli missile defences, but the unprecedented attack sent over 10 million people into bomb shelters.

Iran’s provocation came hours after Israel launched ground incursion in Lebanon where the IDF has been carrying out pointed airstrike against Hezbollah targets. Many Hezbollah commanders, including its top leader Hassan Nasrallah, were killed in the Israeli attack.

Following Iran’s big missile offensive on Tuesday, Guterres wrote on X: "I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire."

His brief statement, however, left Israel unimpressed, especially because he had taken a strong stand against Tel Aviv after its military operations in Gaza.

"We condemn your inability to string together a tweet which holds Iran responsible for firing 181 ballistic missiles at 10 million Israeli civilians,” Israel responded to Guterres’s latest tweet.

Tension between Israel and Iran mounted after Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader of the Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran on August 1. Iran blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and vowed strong retaliation.

how-idf-uncovered-hezbollah-tunnels-in-lebanon-ahead-of-ground-incursion

Tue Oct 01 23:40:48 IST 2024

Israel on Tuesday claimed that its troops have been carrying out raids into southern Lebanon for months. Hezbollah tunnels were identified, weapon caches under homes and invasion plans by the groups were uncovered, said Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari.

While disclosing the details of the classified operation, Hagari said several weapons were seized and destroyed. His disclosure came hours after Israel announced a ground operation against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

"Our soldiers entered Hezbollah's underground infrastructure; exposed Hezbollah's hidden weapons caches and seized and destroyed the weapons including advanced, Iranian-made weapons," Hagari said.

The findings and evidence discovered under homes in southern Lebanon will be presented to the international community, he added.

The videos filmed on troops’ body cameras revealed Hezbollah tunnels under the Lebanese villages. Israel claimed that the tunnels lie across the border from three Israeli towns.

Maps of the Israeli communities and army posts were also discovered.

“The operations that we de-classified tonight are only a small number of dozens of operations that we will reveal going forward, including the destruction of Hezbollah's strategic assets and capabilities," said Hagari.

He also added that the ground raids would continue until tens of thousands of uprooted Israelis living near the border can return safely to their homes.

IDF ordered the residents of about 30 border villages in south Lebanon to evacuate in the wake of the ground incursion.

"The IDF does not want to harm you and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately," said Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

Hezbollah had vowed to continue the fight after its chief Hassan Nasrallah died in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut. Along with Nasrallah, 19 other senior Hezbollah leaders were killed.

Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem had warned Israel that they are using only a fraction of its capabilities to attack Israel. “We are prepared for a long fight,” Qassem said.

iran-launches-missile-attack-on-israel-idf-urges-residents-to-take-shelters-in-bunkers

Tue Oct 01 23:09:06 IST 2024

Hours after Israel's ground incursion in Lebanon, Iran fired over 100 missiles at Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Air raid sirens were sounded in Israel and residents were ordered to seek shelter in safer places.

Earlier the United States had indicated an "imminent ballistic missile attack" by Iran on Israel. In a statement, the US had warned Iran of "serious consequences" if it launched a direct attack on Israel.

Reportedly, missiles flew over Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. According to witnesses, explosions were heard in Jerusalem.

If Israel responds militarily to this operation, it will face a harsher response, Iran said in a statement.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari had said that the country's defence system was fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats.

Videos of missiles flying in several sites across Israel surfaced on social media.

The Iran attack came a day after Israel began its ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israel ordered people in at least 30 Lebanese villages to evacuate in the wake of the ground incursion.

Hagari had warned that the Iranian strike could be widespread and therefore urged the people to move close to bomb shelters.

In April, the US offered its assistance to Israel, when Iran launched a series of drones and missiles towards Tel Aviv. During the strike then, majority of the missiles were successfully intercepted.

Amid rising tensions, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a safe location with increased security measures following the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah after an Israeli-targeted strike on Beirut.

Middle East tensions have escalated with Israel tightening its grip on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Global pressure is mounting on Israel for a ceasefire to calm things down.

Hagari had said Israel would do "whatever necessary" to avoid a 7th October-like attack again on "any one of our borders".

is-irans-attack-on-israel-imminent-top-us-official-hints-at-tehrans-preparations

Tue Oct 01 20:44:03 IST 2024

Amid Israel's ground incursion on Lebanon against Hezbollah, the United States intelligence units had indicated an imminent ballistic missile attack by Iran on Israel.

With Israel on an all-out war against Iran-backed Hezbollah, Tehran vowed retaliation. A statement released by a senior White House official said, “Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel.”

ALSO READ | Hezbollah denies Israeli troops entered Lebanon; more details surface on Hassan Nasrallah’s death

It also added, “We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack.”

The US warned Iran of “severe consequences” if it carried out a direct attack against Israel.

Following the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah after an Israeli-targeted strike on Beirut, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a safe location with increased security measures.

ALSO READ |Was Mossad behind Ebrahim Raisi's death? Iran MP hints ex-president's pager exploded on chopper

With Israel tightening its grip on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Middle East tensions have escalated. Global pressure is mounting on Israel for a ceasefire to calm things down.

Meanwhile, with Iran’s imminent attack looming, Israel's military spokesperson said that its defence systems are fully prepared for any attack. “There is no threat at present,” he said.

After the walkie-talkie blasts, an Iranian MP Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani claimed that a pager blast led to the helicopter crash that led to the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in May.

Also, Israel's involvement in killing top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran had angered Tehran vowing severe retaliation against Tel Aviv.

In April, when Iran launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel, the US offered its assistance. During the strike then, majority of the missiles were successfully intercepted.

Also, IDF on Tuesday in a message on Telegram said that Israel's military is calling up "four additional reserve brigades for operational missions in the northern area."

Israel's military spokesperson had said Israel would do "whatever necessary" to avoid a 7th-October-like attack again on "any one of our borders".

After Israel's intensified attacks on Hezbollah, Iran urged all resistance groups to join together and support.

drone-boat-with-explosives-strikes-two-vessels-in-red-sea-days-after-israeli-airstrike-on-yemens-houthis

Tue Oct 01 18:25:55 IST 2024

After Israel's target strikes on Houthis in Yemen, there were reports of ships being targeted in the Red Sea yet again. In its latest suspected attacks, an explosive-loaded drone crashed into two vessels on Tuesday in the Red Sea.

The attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea are the first in several weeks since the Middle East tensions.

Though two vessels sustained damages, the crew were safe. The captain of a vessel witnessed “four splashes” near his vessel, before it struck, said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

ALSO READ | After Hezbollah, is Israel targeting Houthis in Yemen?

One of the vessels that came under the attack was a Panama-flagged tanker, which was hit by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, added the UKMTO.

Meanwhile, the second vessel, which suffered damages was a Liberia-flagged bulker. Reportedly, the vessel sustained damage after it was hit by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah.

According to the British security firm Ambrey, both vessels were bound for Suez.

Ambrey also said that the drone used for the attack was a ‘drone boat’, which is commonly used by Houthis.

Authorities have launched an investigation into both incidents. However, there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

Since November last year, Iran-backed Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel Air Force has launched strikes at Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday. The strike was carried about 1,800 km from Israel. The targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which was used by the Houthi group to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, said IDF.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree in a prerecorded video on Tuesday said the rebels had launched drones targeting Israel.

The Red Sea has been witnessing a battle since the Israel-Hamas war, with Houthis targeting cargo ships passing through the channel.

Over 80 merchant ships have been targeted with missiles and drones since the Gaza war after the October 7 attacks.

hezbollah-denies-israeli-troops-entered-lebanon-more-details-surface-on-hassan-nasrallahs-death

Tue Oct 01 17:19:37 IST 2024

With Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launching a targeted ground incursion in Lebanon, Tel Aviv on Tuesday ordered the residents of about 30 border villages in south Lebanon to evacuate. The Israeli authorities directed the Lebanese residents to head north of the Awali river, about 35 miles from the border.

"The IDF does not want to harm you and for your own safety you must evacuate your homes immediately," said Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

ALSO READ | Israel troops hit the ground in Lebanon, IDF's 'limited raids' focused on Hezbollah targets in south

Meanwhile, Hezbollah denied Israel’s claims that the troops had entered Lebanon. The reports that Israeli forces had entered Lebanon were “false claims”, said Hezbollah spokesman Mohammed Afifi.

Afifi also added that Hezbollah is ready for a direct confrontation if Israeli troops cross the border.

Amid intensified attacks, Hezbollah has claimed to have fired missiles at Mossad headquarters and at a military intelligence unit on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. While Israel blamed Hezbollah for firing missiles targeting villages.

ALSO READ | Only a fraction of its capabilities used to attack Israel, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem warns

“A missile fired by Hezbollah at Israel fell directly in Kfar Qassem, an Arab village in central Israel after Hezbollah once again fired projectiles at central Israel,” said IDF.

More details on Hezbollah chief Nasrallah’s death

New reports on Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s death, reveal that he may have “suffocated” from toxic gases inside his secret bunker after Israeli airstrike.

Nasrallah's body was recovered from the site of the airstrike on Sunday. It was reported that his body had no direct wounds.

As the rooms filled with fumes from the smoke and explosions, the 64-year-old may have suffocated and died in "agony", claimed an Israeli news outlet. However, there were also reports that 'blunt trauma' from the blasts might have caused his death.

The Hezbollah chief was killed on Friday.

The Beirut strike was carried out by utilising 80 tons of 'bunker-busting' bombs designed to penetrate fortified structures.

Hezbollah's acting leader Naim Kassem on Monday vowed to continue the fight and said the group is ready for a direct confrontation.

israel-will-retaliate-to-irans-missile-attacks-it-could-be-via-fighter-jets-or-clandestine-operations

Wed Oct 02 13:56:29 IST 2024

Israel will make good on its vow to retaliate to Iran's missile attack and it could happen within days, said a report quoting Israeli officials. This could come in the form of airstrikes on Iran's nuclear or oil production facilities and other strategic sites.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran of severe consequences, adding that "Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it."

Israel's retaliation to Iran's rocket attacks in April was limited to just targetting IRGC's S-300 air defence battery, thereby ending the exchange of direct attacks. However, this time around the Israeli retaliation will be much more significant, Israeli officials told US-based Axios.

While Iran's oil facilities as a likely target, targeted assassinations and taking out Iran's air defence systems are also possibilities, the officials added. Another possibility is a clandestine operation like the one that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran two months ago.

Also read: Iran fires 181 missiles at Israel; Netanyahu warns 'they will pay for it'

The Israeli security cabinet convened on Tuesday at an underground government bunker inside a mountain near Tel Aviv. Though there was an understanding that there would be an Israeli military response, the meeting ended without a clear decision on what that would be. This was because Israel wanted to consult with the Biden administration and coordinate its plans with the US as Tel Aviv needed defensive cooperation with U.S. Central Command, including munitions and operational support.

US President Biden has vowed to support Israel and said he will speak with Netanyahu about the response. The call could take place on Wednesday several hours before the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the report added.

Pezeshkian's message to Netanyahu

Amid the rocket attack, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has a message for Netanyahu. He said while Iran was not belligerent, it stood firmly against any threat. "Based on legitimate rights and with the aim of peace and security for Iran and the region, a decisive response was given to the aggression of the Zionist regime," Pezeshkian wrote on his X account. "This action was in defence of the interests and citizens of Iran," he added.

"This is only a corner of our power. Do not enter into a conflict with Iran," he further added.

Iran has also warned the US not to intervene in any response, stating that it did not communicate with the US after the attack.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: "Before the attack, there was no exchange of messages,” Araghchi told state TV, adding that Iran communicated with the US after the attack. "We have… warned the US forces to withdraw from this matter and not to intervene,” Araghchi said. The message was relayed through the Swiss embassy in Tehran.

us-elections-jd-vance-outshines-tim-walz-in-a-policy-heavy-debate-10-points

Wed Oct 02 12:02:53 IST 2024

The first and likely only vice-presidential debate of the 2024 US Elections saw Republican J D Vance and Democrat Tim Walz square off in a debate that was heavy on policy and civil. Key issues, including Middle East tensions, abortion rights and the border crisis, dominated the debate which saw the candidates make a case for their running mates. In the end, J D Vance, a Yale-trained lawyer and an experienced debater, emerged as a clear winner.

Some takeaways from the debate

1) No personal attacks: The debate between Ohio Senator J D Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was mostly cordial with the focus mostly on policy. While Vance blasted Vice President Kamala Harris on border security, the Democrat lambasted former President Donald Trump on abortion rights.

2) Middle-East tensions: Vance questioned Walz on whether he would support a preemptive strike on Iran as it launched missiles into Israel, but the latter directed it to Trump and how he was too dangerous for the country. "What's fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter," said Walz. "And the world saw it on that debate stage a few weeks ago, a nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need at this moment."

Vance shot back: "Who has been the vice president for the last three and a half years? And the answer is your running mate, not mine. Donald Trump consistently made the world more secure."

3) Ohio pet-eating controversy: Trump's controversial remarks on immigrant Haitians eating pets surfaced at the vice-president debate too with Walz telling Vance that there were consequences for this, referring to the incident where state troopers were sent to Springfield following bomb threats.

However, Vance shot back, stating "the people I care most about in Springfield are the American citizens." The Republican also challenged the moderators over their fact-checking of his pet-eating statement.

4) Walz on Tiananmen Square: The Minnesota governor had a major embarrassment when he agreed he "misspoke" about his statement that he visited Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests in the spring of 1989. However, a report by Minnesota Public Radio said he was in fact there later in the year. "I’ve not been perfect, and I’m a knucklehead at times," he said, before finally conceding that he "got there that summer and misspoke."

5) Abortion rights: Vance attempted to appeal to the political middle on abortion by delivering a passionate message on abortion. He denied Republicans would create a federal registry to track pregnancies and claimed the party wanted to be "pro-family". He, however, opted to dodge reference to his earlier remarks on the issue, including previously saying he did not support exceptions to abortion bans for rape and incest.

6) Economic matters: Walz unleashed on Vance on Trump's track record on economic issues but Vance argued that Trump’s economic plan would solve the cost-of-living crisis. He also cited take-home pay and lower inflation and attacked four years of Harris’ leadership on the economy. Walz argued that Harris's plans to make housing more affordable and cut taxes were pro-middle class.

7) Immigration: Vance attacked Kamala Harris on the border issue, stating that he has been to the southern border more than our border czar, Kamala Harris, has been." He, however, ducked the question of how Trump would carry out his mass deportation promise.

Walz, on the other hand, hit out at Trump’s immigration policies stating he killed a bipartisan border deal in the Senate. Vance also opted not to answer a question on whether he would support a child separation policy.

8) 2020 elections: One moment when Walz outshined Vance was when he asked if he believed Trump lost the 2020 elections. Vance opted not to give a straight answer and instead threw a question at Walz about censorship of the COVID-19 pandemic on Facebook. Vance replied: “Tim, I'm focused on the future.”

iran-fires-181-missiles-at-israel-netanyahu-warns-they-will-pay-for-it

Wed Oct 02 09:12:02 IST 2024

Iran has fired over 181 missiles at Israel on Tuesday nights, stoking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it intercepted a large number of rockets but the unprecedented attack sent over 10 million people into bomb shelters.

Israel also called the attacks "largely unsuccessful" but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran of severe consequences, adding that "Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it."

One Palestinian in the West Bank was reported killed and two Israelis were injured by falling shrapnel as explosions rang across much of Israel, including at Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley. The US too reiterated its support for Israel and vowed to help Israel to ensure Iran faced severe consequences for its actions.

As the conflict escalated, Iran said its missile attack on Israel was over barring further provocation. "Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X early on Wednesday.

Also read: Iran launches missile attack on Israel, IDF urges residents to take shelter in bunkers

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it fired hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time, and 90% of its missiles successfully hit their targets in Israel. The Islamic Republic also called attacks "defensive" and solely aimed at Israeli military facilities. Iran's state news agency said three Israeli military bases had been targeted.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that it was the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who ordered the launch of the missiles at Israel. "Khamenei remains in a secure location," the senior official told the news agency.

How Netanyahu's reacted

Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting in a secure bunker near Jerusalem late on Tuesday where he said the strike on Israel had been thwarted thanks to Israel's air defence system. He also thanked the US for its support.

"The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies," said Netanyahu. "[Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar and [top Hamas military commander Mohammed] Deif did not understand this, [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah and [Hezbollah chief of staff Fuad] Shukr did not understand this, and there are probably those in Tehran who do not understand this. They will understand," he threatened, stressing that "whoever attacks us — we will attack him."

He added that Israel was on the move and the xis of evil was retreating. The Prime Minister also promised to do everything necessary to continue this and achieve all the goals, including the return of the hostages.

White House backs Israel

US President Joe Biden said he was fully backing Israel and called Iran's attack ineffective and defeated. "At my direction, the United States military actively supported the defence of Israel. We are still assessing the impact but, based on what we know, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective and this is a testament to Israeli military capability (It is) also a testament to intensive planning (between) the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against a brazen attack."

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the U.S. Navy warships fired about a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles headed toward Israel. The US Navy has also deployed two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers -- the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley -- deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.

nepal-rescue-operations-continue-as-over-200-people-killed-in-floods-landslides

Mon Sep 30 19:26:39 IST 2024

Search and rescue operations continued in Nepal for the third consecutive day on Monday after monsoon-induced floods and landslides killed more than 200 people in one of the worst rain-related disasters in the Himalayan nation in recent years.

Incessant rainfall over the weekend triggered floods and landslides, wreaking havoc in Kathmandu and most of the districts of Nepal.

At least 204 people have been killed in the continuous rainfall, floods, landslides and inundation, MyRepublica news portal reported, quoting the Armed Police Force (APF).

It added that 89 others have also been injured nationwide in the disaster, while 33 others remain missing.

An all-party meeting convened on Sunday by Officiating Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh at the Prime Minister's Office in Singha Durbar decided to enhance rescue, relief, and re-establishment efforts during the ongoing disaster caused by heavy rains.

The Home Ministry said it would provide grants for temporary housing construction, repair blocked roads to restore transportation and ensure effective free health treatment for citizens injured in disaster incidents.

A task force was also formed to assess the details of the damage caused within a 15-day deadline, the news portal reported.

The Disaster Management Executive Committee said it will provide a relief amount to the families of those missing. If the missing person is not found within 10 days, their family will be provided the same amount as that given to the kin of a person killed in the rain-induced disaster, the report said.

The Home Ministry said all security agencies have been deployed for relief efforts following the floods and landslides, and the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel have rescued around 4,500 disaster-affected individuals so far.

While those injured are receiving free treatment, food and other emergency relief materials have been provided to others affected by the floods.

Hundreds of people are facing a shortage of food, safe drinking water and sanitation in Kathmandu following the natural disaster, according to eyewitnesses.

Market prices have also soared as vegetables coming from India and other districts of the country have been temporarily halted due to obstruction in major highways due to landslides.

Numerous roads throughout the nation are severely damaged, and all routes leading to the capital city, Kathmandu, are still blocked, leaving thousands of travellers stranded, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.

Home Ministry Spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari said efforts are underway to clear the obstructed highways to resume transportation.

At least 20 hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 1100 MW suffered damages due to floods and landslides triggered by the incessant rainfall in the past three days, which has led to the disruption in power supply in Kathmandu and other major cities.

"Heavy rains since Friday have caused widespread flooding across Kathmandu Valley, and across Nepal. This is the worst flooding experienced in recent years," said Jagan Chapagain, the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in a post on X.

"In response to the crisis, local branches of the @NepalRedCross are working closely with authorities and (the) Emergency Operations Centre of Nepal Red Cross to coordinate rescue and relief operations," he added.

Kathmandu's main river, the Bagmati, was flowing above danger levels after incessant rain lashed large swathes of eastern and central Nepal on Friday and Saturday, a report published by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said.

"A low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and the more northerly than usual position of the monsoon trough was the reason" behind the exceptionally intense rain, it said on Saturday.

Scientists say that while climate change is changing the amount and timing of rainfall across Asia, a key reason for the rise in the impact of floods is the built environment, including unplanned construction, especially on floodplains, which leaves insufficient areas for water retention and drainage.

The floods and landslides have thrown life out of gear in many parts of the country, with many highways and road stretches disrupted, hundreds of houses and bridges buried or swept away, and hundreds of families displaced.

Thousands of passengers have been stranded in various places due to road disruption.

During the all-party meeting, it was also decided that the Ministry of Health and Population will conduct awareness programmes and other initiatives in potential and suitable locations to prevent the spread of diseases, as epidemics can spread after such disasters.

only-a-fraction-of-its-capabilities-used-to-attack-israel-hezbollah-deputy-leader-naim-qassem-warns

Mon Sep 30 19:06:47 IST 2024

Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem on Monday said that the group is well-prepared for any ground invasion by Israel. While vowing to continue the fight, Qassem said Hezbollah is only using a fraction of the group’s capabilities to attack Israel.

Qassem also said that the commanders killed will soon be replaced. "In our hierarchy, we have deputies for all commanders. We have other alternatives in case the leader was killed or got injured," said Qassem.

He also added that Hezbollah's secretary general will be appointed sooner. After Nasrallah died in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut, his cousin Hashem Safieddine is likely to be appointed as the Hezbollah chief. Until then, Qassem will continue to head the group.

Amid intensified strikes against the Hezbollah group, defence minister Yoav Gallant has hinted that Israel intends to mount a ground invasion of Lebanon. Gallant had said, “We will use all of our capabilities."

Gallant added the returning Israelis to their homes in the north was IDF’s prime mission.

"That is what we will do, and we will deploy whatever is needed- you, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and from the land," he said.

With Israel continuing its airstrikes on Lebanon, its assault on Gaza also continues. In Lebanon, 1,000 people were reportedly killed, with 6,000 more wounded, and one million people displaced from their homes.

Also, Qassem accused Israel of "committing massacres and crimes against the civilians." He also said that though there are pains, “everyone must know that we love martyrdom.”

Qassem also boasted Hezbollah's reach into Israel and ability to target places like Haifa.

“We are all there in the field, despite the loss of some leaders and Hassan Nasrallah the main target, and despite the aggressive attacks against all the civilians in Lebanon, despite the sacrifices and the actions...We will stay there. We will continue facing the Israeli enemy in support of Palestine and Gaza and in defence of our Lebanese people," said Qassem.

Qassem also said, “We are strong enough, and we will turn the Israelis mad because they will never, ever be able to reach and hit and hurt our military capabilities.”

who-was-fatah-sharif-al-amine-hamas-commander-killed-in-israeli-airstrike-in-lebanon

Mon Sep 30 17:23:29 IST 2024

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah strikes, Hamas on Monday confirmed that its commander Fatah Sharif al-Amine was killed in an Israeli airstrike in an A1-Bass camp in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military had earlier announced that the Hamas commander was eliminated in a targeted operation in Lebanon.

ALSO READ | Top Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strikes so far

The militant group in a statement noted that Fatah, the leader of the Hamas in Lebanon, was killed in an airstrike on his "home in the Al-Bass camp in south Lebanon.” He died along with his family, including his wife and two children, it added.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military in a statement said, “Fatah, head of the Lebanon branch of the Hamas terrorist organisation,” was eliminated in a joint IDF and ISA intelligence-based activity in Lebanon.

ALSO READ | How Hassan Nasrallah's killing split Arab world as Shia, Sunni rift comes to the fore

It also added that Sharif was responsible for coordinating Hamas’ terror activities in Lebanon with Hezbollah operatives. “He was also responsible for Hamas’ efforts in Lebanon to recruit operatives and acquire weapons,” added the statement.

Israel also said that Fatah led the Hamas terrorist organisation’s force buildup efforts in Lebanon.

ALSO READ | No direct wounds on Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s body; cause of death is likely to be...

Earlier, similar strikes carried out by Israel had killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri and six other militants in Beirut, Lebanon. Hamas commander Samer al-Hajj was also killed in a strike on a vehicle in the south Lebanon city of Sidon.

Hezbollah vows to continue fight after Nasrallah's death

Hezbollah's acting leader Naim Kassem on Monday vowed to continue the battle against Israel and said the group was prepared for a long fight.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, along with 19 other top leaders of the group, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday.

In a televised address, Qassem said Hezbollah is ready to confront any ground invasion of Lebanon.

"We will face any possibility and we are ready if the Israelis decide to enter by land and the resistance forces are ready for a ground engagement," said Qassem.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Monday that his government was ready to fully implement a UN resolution that had aimed to end Hezbollah's armed presence south of the Litani River as part of an agreement to stop the war with Israel.

how-hassan-nasrallah-killing-split-arab-world-as-shia-sunni-rift-comes-to-the-fore

Mon Sep 30 20:19:49 IST 2024

After Israeli military killed Iran-backed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Sunni states in the Arab world have maintained silence on the issue. This has brought forward the rift among Arab countries over historical Sunni and Shia ideologies as well as geopolitical equations in the region.

While Iran and its allies in Iraq and Syria have condemned the assassination of Nasrallah, the Gulf countries led by Saudi Arabia and other Arab League nations have taken a different stance. Syria and Iraq have declared a three-day mourning period

Though the Arab League designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation in 2016, it was retracted earlier this year.

Saudi Arabia has stated that the situation in Lebanon is of "grave concern", urging the preservation of the sovereignty and regional security of the country. However, it did not mention anything about Nasrallah or Hezbollah, which is a non-state player.

Egypt, which has been critical of Iran and its proxies, rejected any violation of Lebanon's sovereignty but did not mention Nasrallah.

Bahrain and the UAE, which have normalised their relations with Israel, have opted to keep silence. Qatar has also kept mum on the issue.

LuaLua TV, a pro-Iranian Bahraini channel, aired videos of demonstrators mourning for Nasrallah, saying the government attacked those who took part in the march. Bahrain Mirror, run by the opposition, said a Shia cleric was detained for condoling Nasrallah's death.

israel-troops-hit-the-ground-in-lebanon-idfs-limited-raids-focused-on-hezbollah-targets-in-south

Tue Oct 01 11:22:16 IST 2024

Israel has announced that it began a ground invasion in Lebanon early on Tuesday as its troops began 'limited raids' against Hezbollah targets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made the announcement soon after the security cabinet approved the ground raids focused on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanese villages that posed "an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel".

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had told on Monday that Israel would put its ground troops in Lebanon in the next phase of the war soon to bring home Israelis who have fled Hezbollah rockets during nearly a year of border warfare.

"In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localised, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. These targets are located in villages close to the border and pose an immediate threat to Israeli communities in northern Israel," the IDF statement read.

Air and artillery forces are assisting the ground forces, which set in motion the invasion by entering the Hezbollah tunnels dug near the Blue Line separating Israel from Lebanon.

Hours before the troops went in, Israel sent a fresh warning urging residents in Dahieh - the Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs - to evacuate. It followed the warning with a series of airstrikes on Beirut.

Israel has already informed its ally, the US, about the limited raid, which also intends to create conditions for a diplomatic agreement under which Hezbollah forces would be pushed back beyond the Litani River, in line with UN Security Council resolution, reported The Times of Israel. The operation is also limited in both time and scope and was not intended to occupy southern Lebanon, the report added.

The IDF's new phase has sparked fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran-backed militants.

Though there is no official confirmation from the Lebanese side, reports state that the Lebanese troops pulled back about five kilometres (3 miles) from positions along Lebanon's southern border with Israel. Lebanon's army often stays on the sidelines, as it has historically done in major conflicts with Israel. They have not fired on the Israeli military anytime during the period.

irans-secret-service-unit-head-was-actually-a-mossad-double-agent-former-president-ahmadinejad

Tue Oct 01 16:52:13 IST 2024

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made a shocking claim that the head of the Iranian Secret Service Unit himself was a Mossad double agent.

Ahmadinejad made the stunning claim in an interview with CNN Turk amid reports that it was an Iranian 'mole' who informed Israel about Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's arrival at Hezbollah's underground headquarters.

Ahmadinejad further claimed that a further 20 agents in the Iranian intelligence team tasked with monitoring Israeli intelligence activities were Mossad double agents. These double agents were providing Israel with sensitive information on the Iranian nuclear programme, he alleged.

However, it is not clear if these people were instrumental in Israel receiving the key intel about Hezbollah's hiding place in Beirut that resulted in an airstrike that killed the militant chief.

Hours before Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike, an Iranian mole had reportedly alerted Israeli authorities of his location. It added that the mole had alerted the Israeli sources that Nasrallah would be in the building to attend a meeting with several top members of the organisation.

Also read: Houthi missile targets Israel PM Netanyahu's plane at Ben Gurion airport; IDF's Arrow system shoots it down

Nasrallah's killing was also a direct result of Israel building an intel network to target the militant group after its 2006 war with the Iran-backed group. As a result of the efforts, Mossad's Unit 8200, the signals intelligence agency, built cutting-edge cyber tools to better intercept Hezbollah’s cellphones and other communications, reported The New York Times.

The report added that Mossad also created new teams within the combat ranks to ensure that valuable information was quickly passed on to soldiers and the Air Force. Israel also developed and deployed more drones and satellites over Lebanon to photograph Hezbollah strongholds and document even the smallest changes to buildings.

Also read: 'Iran spy tipped off Israel about Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's location before airstrike'

The newspaper added that Israeli leaders had information about Nasrallah's hideout for several months and decided to strike at him last week because they believed they had only a short window of opportunity before the Hezbollah leader disappeared elsewhere.

where-is-yahya-sinwar-idfs-cryptic-photo-raises-questions-over-hamas-chiefs-fate

Mon Sep 30 20:20:18 IST 2024

As Hezbollah and allies reel over the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, the Israeli Defence Forces on Sunday posted a picture of the Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar marked with a question mark. The cryptic photo with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi in the foreground raises questions about the fate of the Hamas chief, who reportedly is unreachable now.

Sinwar took over as Hamas chief in Gaza after Israel took out the then-chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.

Halevi, in a video statement, was briefing about Israel's operation on the Houthi terror group in Yemen when a photograph was seen in the background showing the diagram of Hamas's leadership in Gaza, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The image had a question mark over Sinwar's name. It is unclear whether the IDF was uncertain about Sinwar's whereabouts or whether the armed forces were sending a subtle message about targetting him.

The prolonged incommunicado status of Sinwar has also triggered speculations that he could be dead. However, there is no evidence to claim so. Many believe that the statements released in Sinwar's name over the past few weeks were not actually written by him. Hamas had recently released a statement calling on Arab nations to "leave the box of silence and act" against Israel for the sufferings of the Lebanese people.

While the IDF recently stated that it could neither confirm nor deny reports on Sinwar's death, Israel's Security Agency disputed this theory, believing that Sinwar is still alive.

Meanwhile, other local media reports from Israel claim that Israel had the opportunity to eliminate Sinwar but decided not to proceed in doing so due to fear of harming the hostages in Hamas' captivity. Though the country got details regarding Sinwar which would aid in his assassination, the leadership decided it was too risky as the hostages were somewhere near the same area. Unconfirmed reports claim that Sinwar had surrounded himself with hostages as human shields.

Ram Ben-Barak, a former deputy director of the Mossad, recently told The Guardian that Israel was very careful with what they were doing because of the hostages. "I believe if there were no such restrictions, we would have found him easier," Barak added.

It is also said that Sinwar moved back to the Gaza Strip after learning about the Israeli airstrike that killed Nasrallah.

houthi-missile-targets-israel-pm-netanyahus-plane-at-ben-gurion-airport-idfs-arrow-system-shoots-it-down

Mon Sep 30 20:20:42 IST 2024

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has claimed that its air defence system intercepted a surface-to-surface ballistic missile launched at central Israel from Yemen on Saturday evening. Interestingly, the missile was reportedly targetting Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane as it was about to land at Ben Gurion airport,

The leader of Yemen-based Houthis claimed the missile was aimed and timed to coincide with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s landing in Israel after returning from New York. The missile was fired soon after Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed that the death of Nasrallah "will not be in vain" and the "resistance won't be in vain" in response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an IDF airstrike in Beirut on Friday.

Netanyahu's plane 'Wing of Zion' landed in Israel some 35 minutes before the missile triggered sirens. According to the IDF, though the missile was shot down outside the country's borders by the Arrow long-range missile defence system, its remains fell inside the country's borders causing the sirens to sound in Central Israel.

Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli planes rained havoc on power plants used by the Houthis in western Yemen to retaliate to the ballistic missile attacks on Israel. Houthi-run health ministry claimed at least four people were killed and 29 wounded in airstrikes on Yemen's port of Hodeidah.

The IDF fighters struck targets in Lebanon, Gaza Strip, and allegedly in Syria on Sunday in a multifront war.

An IDF statement that "over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation."

Israel on Sunday vowed to keep up its assault with IDF military chief of staff Herzi Halevi stating it would keep hitting Hezbollah hard. More drones were sent to Beirut and reports emerged that it hit an apartment building in Beirut, killing two residents.

Official sources in Lebanon claimed that over 1,000 people have been killed and over 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks. It added that a million people - a fifth of the population - have fled their homes.

top-hezbollah-commanders-killed-in-israeli-strikes-so-far

Sun Sep 29 23:05:12 IST 2024

With targeted airstrikes, Israel has eliminated most of the top Hezbollah leaders in the last year ever since it launched its military operations against Hamas following the October 7 attack in Gaza Enclave. The Israel-Hezbollah tensions escalated during the Gaza war as the Lebanon-based group continued to fire rockets to northern Israel, forcing thousands of Israelites to flee the region. Since then, both sides have been engaged in exchanging strikes, almost daily.

Over 10 top Hezbollah commanders were killed in the recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. However, Hezbollah has not confirmed all the 'targets' eliminated by Israel as it claims.

The latest Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, along with several top commanders. Israel claimed to have killed at least 20 Hezbollah leaders in the airstrike.

Top Hezbollah leaders killed in Israeli airstrike

Hassan Nasrallah

Israel’s targeted airstrike on Friday at the Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut killed its chief Nasrallah, along with 19 others. Nasrallah’s death is considered a major breakthrough in Israel’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the top leaders of the militant group.

Nabil Qaouk

The deputy head of Hezbollah’s Central Council was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut. He was the group's military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010. He was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2020.

Qaouk joined the militant group as a teenager and went on to fill a series of military command positions. Of late, he took more political roles and was a frequent traveller to Iran.

Ali Karaki

Karaki was a member of Hezbollah's Jihad Council and the commander of the organisation's southern front. He died along with Nasrallah in the IDF strike on Beirut. He had joined Hezbollah during the Lebanese Civil War. Karaki was sanctioned by the US in September 2019. Karaki was entrusted with the responsibility of military operations along the Israel border.

Ibrahim Aquil

Ibrahim Aquil is the second founder member of Hezbollah’s military wing. Aquil, who was in his early 60s, was the acting commander of the Radwan [special forces] brigades.

Fuad Shukr

Fuad Shukr was the head of the organisation’s Strategic Unit. Shukr was the key figure involved in the massive suicide bombings launched against the US, French and Israeli targets in 1983. He played a significant role in developing Hezbollah’s military capabilities as well. He died in July.

Ibrahim Jazini

Jazini was responsible for the internal security within Hezbollah. He was close to Nasrallah and was a trusted associate.

Among the other Hezbollah leaders killed in the Israeli airstrikes are Ibrahim Muhammad Qabisi, the head of the Missiles and Rockets Force; Wissam al-Tawail, Commander of Radwan Force; Abu Hassan Samir, head of Radwan Force’s training unit and former commander of the Radwan Force; Mohammed Nasser, commander of ‘Aziz’ Unit; Muhammad Hussein Srour, commander of Aerial Command; and Sami Taleb Abdullah, commander of ‘Nasser’ Unit.

tim-walz-vs-jd-vance-after-harris-trump-faceoff-stage-is-all-set-for-the-us-vice-presidential-debate

Sun Sep 29 20:33:17 IST 2024

After the US presidential debate between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, up next is the vice presidential debate.

Democrat Tim Walz and Republican J.D. Vance will face off on Tuesday (October 1) in a 90-minute debate, hosted by the CBS News in New York City.

The debate will take place at 9 pm ET (0100 GMT on October 2) at the CBS Broadcast Center by anchors Noah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan.

ALSO READ | US presidential election 2024: All about the 7 swing states that could sway results

How can you watch the debate?

The event will be broadcast on the CBS network. Also, the debate will be live-streamed on all platforms where CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+ are available.

As per the rules of the debate, there will be no audience. No props or pre-written notes are on stage. Also, CBS News reserves the right to turn off candidate microphones.

ALSO READ | Why Pennsylvania is the swingiest of the swing states

Tim Walz vs J.D. Vance

The recent poll trends, reportedly, give an edge to Tim Walz. Ohio Senator and the Republican vice presidential candidate Vance is less popular among voters compared to his Democratic rival.

During the debate, Walz is likely to try to appeal to the voters by targeting Vance, as Harris successfully did in her debate with Trump.

ALSO READ | Over 100 ex-Republican officials endorse Harris; why they think Donald Trump is ‘unfit to serve’

Walz had earlier criticised Vance's Midwestern credentials and ridiculed his 2016 memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' for its depiction of rural America.

At Walz’s first rally as vice presidential candidate, he had hit out at Vance by saying, "Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, J.D. studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community."

Known for his ‘liberal’ views, Walz as Minnesota governor brought in a progressive agenda including free school meals, paid leaves for workers and tax cuts for the middle class.

On the other hand, Vance needs to strive harder to appeal to the voters. Vance faced a major backlash over his comments on Harris and other Democrats in 2021 as a ‘bunch of childless cat ladies’.

The recent false claims that Haitian migrants in the Ohio city of Springfield were eating pets were also criticised.

"The big difference between conservatives and liberals is that ... no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months and two people now have tried to kill Donald Trump in the last couple of months," Vance had said.

floods-landslides-wreak-havoc-in-nepal-over-140-dead-several-missing

Sun Sep 29 19:24:04 IST 2024

The death toll from rain-triggered floodings and landslides across Nepal climbed to 148 on Sunday, police said.

Large swathes of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday, with flash floods reported in parts of the country.

According to the police, so far 43 people have been killed due to disaster-related incidents in Kathmandu Valley.

According to the Armed Police Force sources, 55 people are missing in floods, landslides and inundation, while 101 people have been injured.

National highways have been blocked since Saturday, with hundreds of people stranded on various highways due to landslides.

At least 322 houses and 16 bridges have been damaged.

Over 20,000 security personnel have been mobilised to rescue people, the sources said, adding that nearly 3,626 people have been moved to safety.

The sources added that rescue operations were still underway.

Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari said all the apparatuses were being mobilised to open the road sections of highways damaged by landslides.

Eyewitnesses said they had never seen such a devastating flood and inundation in the Kathmandu Valley in 40-45 years.

The death toll has reached 125, the Armed Police Force said in a statement.

At least 19 people were killed on Saturday when a bus was buried in a landslide in Dhading district bordering Kathmandu. Five people died when a house collapsed under a landslide in the city of Bhaktapur.

Six football players were also killed in a landslide at a training centre operated by the All Nepal Football Association in Makwanpur. Others have been swept up in the floodwaters.

Despite the forecast for rain to continue until Tuesday, there were signs of some easing on Sunday.

I've never before seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu, said Arun Bhakta Shrestha, Climate and Environmental expert at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Kathmandu's main river, the Bagmati, was flowing above danger levels after incessant rain lashed much of eastern and central Nepal on Friday and Saturday, a report published by ICIMOD said.

A low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and the more northerly than usual position of the monsoon trough was the reason behind Saturday's exceptionally intense rain, it said.

Thousands of passengers have been stranded in various places due to road disruption.

after-hezbollah-is-israel-targeting-houthis-in-yemen

Sun Sep 29 23:09:15 IST 2024

Amid ongoing strikes against Hezbollah group, Israel on Sunday launched strikes at Houthi targets in Yemen. The Israeli military in a statement said that the strike was a response to the recent Houthi attacks against Tel Aviv.

"Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation,” read the statement.

The strike was carried about 1,800 km from the State of Israel. According to IDF, the targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which were used by the Houthi group to transfer Iranian weapons to the region,

“The IDF is determined to continue operating at any distance – near or far – against all threats to the citizens of the State of Israel,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, a senior Houthi official said that the attacks failed. “Precautions were taken, the oil tanks were emptied in advance at the port of Ras Issa and Hodeidah, and there was an emergency plan,” said Nasr ad-Din Amer.

Iran condemned strikes by Israel on Yemen's Hodeidah port, saying they targeted a power plant and fuel tanks.

According to experts, Israel is sending a message to Iran by these attacks that the Israeli Air Force is willing and is able to launch air raids at any distance. Earlier Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his speech at the UNGA, warned Iran that ‘Israel can reach anywhere’.

no-direct-wounds-on-hezbollah-chief-hassan-nasrallahs-body-cause-of-death-is-likely-to-be

Sun Sep 29 19:10:51 IST 2024

The body of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was recovered on Sunday, reportedly, from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

Narallah's body had no direct wounds and the cause of death appeared to be blunt trauma from the force of the blast, Reuters reported citing sources.

Israel carried out a precise strike at an underground bunker where Nasrallah and several other Hezbollah top commanders were conducting a meeting. The bunker was located 60 feet below a bustling street in south Beirut.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah on Sunday confirmed the death of one of its senior commanders, Ali Karaki, in the Israeli airstrike that killed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

ALSO READ | Who was Nabil Kaouk? Israel kills another Hezbollah leader after Hassan Nasrallah death

Who was Ali Karaki?

Karaki was a member of Hezbollah's Jihad Council and the commander of the organisation's southern front.

"He was directly and on the ground responsible for leading the southern front with all its axes and units in the support front from 8 October 2023, until his blessed martyrdom," Hezbollah said in a statement.

ALSO READ | 'Iran spy tipped off Israel about Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's location before airstrike'

Karaki had joined Hezbollah during the Lebanese Civil War. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and participated in the 2006 Lebanon War. In September 2019, he was sanctioned by the US.

In February 2024, Israel attempted to assassinate him in a car bombing in Nabatieh, but he was not in the target vehicle.

Iran vows retaliation

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, said the killing of Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deputy commander, by Israel was a “horrible crime”.

“There is no doubt that this horrible crime committed by the Zionist regime (Israel) will not go unanswered,” Araqchi said.

Nilforoushan was killed in the Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday.

Amid fears of conflict spreading across the Middle East, European foreign ministers, including the UK, Germany and France, have stepped up calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is set to chair an emergency meeting on Sunday amid the rising tensions in the region. Over 90,000 people fled southern Lebanon in the wake of the intensified Israeli strikes.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army urged its citizens to preserve national unity. Following the Hezbollah chief's death, the Lebanese army said it "calls on citizens to preserve national unity and not to be drawn into actions that may affect civil peace at this dangerous and delicate stage."

"The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and sow division among Lebanese," the statement further read.

iran-spy-tipped-off-israel-about-hezbollah-chief-hassan-nasrallahs-location-before-airstrike

Sun Sep 29 17:22:50 IST 2024

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's death in a targeted Israeli airstrike on Friday was a huge setback for Hezbollah amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Reportedly, an Iranian spy revealed the Hezbollah chief's location to the Israeli authorities hours before the strike.

Citing a source, the French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the Iranian spy informed the Israeli authorities about Hezbollah's meeting to be held in underground headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs. The spy also gave the information that Nasrallah, along with several top commanders of the organisation will be taking part in the meeting.

ALSO READ | How Israel's Lebanon strikes will shape Hezbollah's future after Nasrallah's death

Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Saturday said "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world." Hezbollah confirmed the chief's death and vowed to continue the fight.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei urged all the resistance forces to stand with Hezbollah. After Nasrallah's death, Khamenei was moved to a secure location in the wake of Israel's intensified attacks against Hezbollah.

ALSO READ | Who was Nabil Kaouk? Israel kills another Hezbollah leader after Hassan Nasrallah death

Another Hezbollah leader was killed by Israeli airstrike on Sunday. Nabik Kaouk was the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council. He was the group's military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Information Minister Ziad Makary during a cabinet meeting on Sunday said diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions. "It is certain that the Lebanese government wants a ceasefire, and everyone knows that (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu went to New York based on the premise of a ceasefire, but the decision was made to assassinate Nasrallah," said Makary.

He also added that the matters at hand are not easy and the diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire are ongoing.

who-is-hashem-safieddine-hassan-nasrallah-cousin-hezbollah-chief-us-designated-terrorist

Sun Sep 29 15:22:07 IST 2024

With top Hezbollah leaders, including its secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, getting killed in airstrikes, all eyes are on who will succeed him.

This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said killing of the Hezbollah chief was a necessary step toward "changing the balance of power in the region for years to come."

ALSO READ: Iran Supreme Leader next? Tehran moves Ayatollah Khamenei to secure spot after IDF says Hezbollah chief killed

Who will succeed Hassan Nasrallah?

While confirming Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah vowed to continue the holy war against its enemy Israel. Though Iran-backed Shia group finds it difficult to fill Nasrallah's void, the potential successor to his seat is his cousin Hashem Safieddine.

Who is Hashem Safieddine?

Safieddine, who is a key member of Hezbollah Shura Council, is believed to have close links to Iran and its Supreme Leader. He has been heading the group's decision-making panel since 1992. He has also been groomed as Nasrallah's heir since 1994.

Born in 1964 in Lebanon's Tyre, he completed his religious studies along with Nasrallah in Najaf and Qom, two prominent cities in Iran.

Saffieddine's son, Redha, tied knot with Zeynep, the daughter of late Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a 2020 US airstrike. Saffieddine's brother Abdullah is Hezbollah's representative to Iran

The US Treasury Department named Safieddine a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2017, just like Nasrallah was designated in 2012. Saudi Arabia has also designated Safieddine as a terrorist.

how-israels-lebanon-strikes-will-shape-hezbollahs-future-after-nasrallahs-death

Sun Sep 29 11:27:56 IST 2024

With Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s death in Israel’s Beirut strike, the militant group has suffered a major loss. Nasrallah played a significant role in transforming the Lebanese group into a military force with regional sway. Hezbollah is one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East.

After the chief’s death, now the spotlight has fallen on Hezbollah’s second in command, Hashem Safieddine. With Israel intensifying its attacks on Hezbollah and its other commanders killed in the Beirut strike, choosing a successor has become a very complicated task for the militant group.

ALSO READ | Lebanon: Hezbollah confirms chief Hassan Nasrallah's death, vows to continue battle

Nasrallah became the head of Hezbollah in 1992 after his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi was killed in an Israeli air strike.

Who is Hashem Safieddine?

Safieddine is a cousin of Nasrallah and bears a striking resemblance to the slain leader. He currently heads the executive council of the militant group and oversees its political affairs. He also sits on the ‘Jihad Council’ which manages the military operations of Hezbollah.

ALSO READ | Nasrallah killed in Lebanon: How Israel Air Force penetrated Hezbollah's underground HQ in Beirut? Meet the 'bunker-busters'

Reportedly, Iran's first vice president Mohammad Reza Aref said the killing of Nasrallah will bring about Israel’s “destruction”.

"We warn the leaders of the occupying regime that the unjust bloodshed...especially of Hezbollah's secretary general, martyr Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, will bring about their destruction,” Aref was quoted by Iran’s Isna news agency.

The Houthi movement in Yemen joined others in mourning the Nasrallah’s death and has vowed the “support will grow stronger and bigger”.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the strike was a "war crime" for which both Israel and the US should be held accountable.

Iraq's prime minister announced three days of mourning and said Israel has crossed "all red lines" through the killing of Nasrallah.

The US-France ceasefire proposal was to bring down the heat in the region and reduce the risk of the conflict spreading further across the Middle East. However, with Israel's intensifying attack on Hezbollah a wider Middle East war is looming.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Nasrallah was "among the biggest-ever enemies of Israel".

Israel's army is currently attacking Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, said Hagari. “It’s not over, Hezbollah has more capabilities,” Hagari said, adding that the Israeli military remains at “peak alert around the clock.”

Hagari also added, "Our war is not with the Lebanese people, our war is with Hezbollah.”

As Hezbollah’s retaliation looms, In northern Israel more severe limitations remain in place, with gathering limited to 10 people in the open and 150 inside, and work and educational activities only allowed with shelter facilities at hand.

who-was-nabil-kaouk-israel-strikes-again-as-another-hezbollah-leader-dead-after-hassan-nasrallah

Sun Sep 29 15:22:04 IST 2024

The Israeli military on Sunday said it killed Nabil Kaouk, another top Hezbollah leader, in a airstrike on Saturday.

This comes a day after Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike on Friday while holding a meeting in the underground headquarters of the group.

ALSO READ: Iran Supreme Leader next? Tehran moves Ayatollah Khamenei to secure spot after IDF says Hezbollah chief killed

Who was Nabil Kaouk?

Nabik Kaouk was the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council. He was the group's military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010. He was sanctioned by US Treasury Department in 2020.

The Iran-backed Shia group is yet to acknowledge the death of Kaouk. However, reports said his supporters were seen mourning his death.

Earlier, Nasrallah's daughter Zainab Nasrallah, Hezbollah southern front head Ali Karaki, missile unit commander Muhammad Ali Ismail and his deputy Hossein Ahmed Ismail were also killed in IDF strikes.

Meanwhile, Lebanon Information Minister Ziad Makary said that the government is trying to reach a ceasefire deal with Israel through diplomatic channels.

Hashem Safieddine, who is a cousin of Nasrallah, is seen as a potential successor to his seat. He is a key member of Hezbollah Shura Council, is believed to have close links to Iran and its Supreme Leader.

as-nasrallahs-heir-gears-up-to-take-charge-netanyahu-warns-iran-that-israel-can-reach-anywhere

Mon Sep 30 20:21:06 IST 2024

A day after IDF fighter jets took down Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran that Israel’s military could strike wherever in the region it needs.

Stating that Nasrallah's death will reshape the Middle East’s power structures, Netanyahu, in his first speech since the assassination of the militant group's leader, said Israel’s targeting of Nasrallah was necessary to achieve Israel’s war aims. "Nasrallah wasn’t just another terrorist. He was the terrorist," he said. "Eliminating Nasrallah was an essential condition for achieving the goals that we have set out — returning the residents of the north safely to their homes and changing the balance of power in the region for years."

Netanyahu said the killings of other top Hezbollah commanders was not enough and he decided Nasrallah also needed to be killed because "as long as Nasrallah was alive, he would have quickly rehabilitated Hezbollah’s capabilities."

In a direct warning to Tehran, Netanyahu said: "Those who strike at us, we will strike at them. There is nowhere in Iran or the Middle East beyond the reach of the long arm of Israel, and today you know how true that is."

His statement comes as Iran reportedly relocated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to a secure location after the news about Nasrallah's killing broke.

Israel had reportedly been aware of Nasrallah’s hideout for months but finally decided to take out Nasrallah as it believed Israel could lose the opportunity.

Also read: How Israel planned Nasrallah's murder, dropped 80 bombs within minutes

Iran has announced five days of public mourning and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Nasrallah the flag-bearer of resistance in the region. He said the blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged. "The massacre of the defenseless people in Lebanon once again revealed the ferocity of the Zionist rabid dog to everyone, and proved the shortsighted and stupid policy of the leaders of the usurping regime," he said.

He also urged the Muslims to "stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the… wicked regime [of Israel]."

Who is Hashem Safieddine, the heir?

Though Hezbollah has yet to announce it, the militant group will likely next be headed by Hashem Safieddine, the cousin of Nasrallah.

After Nasrallah, who led the organisation for 32 years, died on Friday, Israeli media reported that Safieddine will take over as the new chief. He is the current head of Hezbollah's political affairs and sits on the Jihad Council, which manages the group’s military operations.

Safieddine is a cleric and is sported in a black turban just like Nasrallah. He was also a designated terrorist, who has vocally urged Palestinians to take up arms against Israel. "Our history, our guns and our rockets are with you", Safieddine said in a show of solidarity with Palestinian terrorists recently.

He had also hit out at the US and once in 2017, called the then-Donald Trump administration "mentally impeded and crazy".

how-israel-planned-nasrallahs-murder-dropped-80-bombs-within-minutes

Mon Sep 30 20:21:51 IST 2024

Israel was aware of slain Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s hideout for months but decided to finally take him out because it feared he would disappear to a different location, according to a report. The decision was taken last week and even the US was not apprised of it until the planes were on air.

Israel also used 80 bombs over several minutes which flattened six buildings, including Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in southern Beirut, reported The New York Times. There was no word about the weight or make of the bombs.

The report, quoting three senior Israeli defence officials, said Israel was planning the operation early last week while it was simultaneously engaged with the US about a ceasefire proposal. This was before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left Israel to give a speech at the United Nations.

On Wednesday, the IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi met with Mossad chief David Barnea, Israel security agency Shin Bet's chief Ronen Bar and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to get the plan approved. However, a few Cabinet ministers did not approve it, fearing it would harm the IDF’s ongoing activities in Gaza, reported The Times of Israel.

However, Halevi insisted that they move forward with the mission. We have what we need. We can go ahead with the operation. We know that Nasrallah is in the bunker," Halevi reportedly told Cabinet members.

Netanyahu boarded the plane on Friday after approving the strike.

Hezbollah confirmed Saturday morning that Nasrallah had been killed, along with its southern front commander Ali Karaki who had survived an Israeli hit attempt days earlier. However, Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah and his potential successor, was not at the underground Beirut bunker at the time of the strike.

Nasrallah was targeted by dozens of bunker-busting bombs dropped by Israeli Air Force fighter jets. The operation used F-15I fighter jets which took off from Hatzerim Airbase in southern Israel and half of the pilots who took part in the operation were reservists.

Also read: Nasrallah killed in Lebanon: How Israel Air Force penetrated Hezbollah's underground HQ in Beirut? Meet the 'bunker-busters'

The fighter pilots knew who they were targetting and flew straight into the heart of Beirut in the Dahiyeh. Hezbollah wasn't aware of the jets and no missiles were fired at the planes. There was no danger to the crew.

"Everything we planned was executed precisely, with no errors, both in intelligence, the planning, with the planes, and the operation itself. Everything went smooth," the commander of the IAF’s 69th Squadron told reporters.

The jets then fired over 80 bombs at the target within seconds with very high precision.

opinion-justice-katju-laanat-hai-aap-par-qazi-faez-isa-pakistan-chief-justice

Sat Sep 28 22:08:03 IST 2024

When the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, who has functioned as a servile toady of the Pakistan Establishment ever since he became the CJP on 17/9/2023, went with his family recently to a bakery (Crusteez Donuts) in Islamabad to buy donuts, an employee of the bakery asked ''Are you Faez Isa ?'' and before the former could reply said ''Laanat hai aap par '' ( 'May curses be upon you' or 'Shame on you' ).

It may be noted that the bakery employee did not address the CJP as 'Qazi Faez Isa' but only as 'Faez Isa'. Since the word Qazi means a judge, it is obvious that the employee did not even regard the CJP as a judge, owing to his numerous misdeeds. These culminated in (1) his recent attempt to get an extension (he is due to retire on 25/10/2024 on attaining the age of superannuation of 65 ) by getting the Constitution amended to form a Constitutional Court which he will head, and where he can continue till 68, and (2) his removal of one of the best judges of Pakistan, Justice Munib Akhtar, who has the highest reputation of integrity and legal knowledge, and is number 3 in seniority, from the committee for constituting benches of the Supreme Court, and replacing him with his henchman, Justice Aminuddin Khan, who is number 5 in seniority, only because Justice Munib Akhtar disagreed with the CJP in some cases and issues.

ALSO READ | OPINION: Shameless Chief Justice of Pakistan

Most people are supporting that employee (who has gone into hiding ), saying that he has expressed the thoughts of the 240 million people of Pakistan.

I have written many articles on the misdeeds of Qazi Faez Isa, who has disgraced the judiciary and functioned like the 'hanging judge' Judge Jeffreys in England, who was a toady of King James II, or like the Nazi judge Roland Freisler.

Now people of Pakistan want a 'Donut Revolution'.

One person tweeted ''People should start selling donuts at every traffic signal, every bus stop, and every railway station, and make a Donut Revolution, like Georgia's 'Rose Revolution'"

Another edited Crusteez Donuts menu card to include 'L wala donut' (L standing for Laanat).

One person said on instagram ''That ONE EMPLOYEE literally did what every single Pakistani should be doing''. Another told Crusteez to raise the salary of that employee, instead of firing him, because ''he single-handedly caused your revenue and customer loyalty to jump through the roof''.

Yet another said ''The whole of Pakistan, except zameer faroshes and patwaris, stand behind that Crusteez' employee. That guy represented our collective emotions''

A crowd gathered outside Crusteez Donuts with placards stating ''The people have spoken ''.

It seems that all hell has broken out in Pakistan. The people of Pakistan had been terrified and silenced by the guns of the Pakistan army after the events of 9th May 2023 (which many people say were stage-managed), but that young employee (who has disappeared) has expressed the voice of the people and may cause the floodgates to burst open.

As for Qazi Faez Isa, I am reminded of a shloka in the Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna tells Arjun (see Gita, chapter 2, shloka 34)

सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते

- भगवद गीता - सांख्ययोग - अध्याय २ - श्लोक ३४

'' Sambhaavitasya cha akeerti, maranaat atirichyate ''

i.e.

''For a self-respecting man, death is preferable to dishonour ''

But I doubt Qazi Faez Isa has even heard of the Gita.

Justice Markandey Katju retired from the Supreme Court in 2011

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.

17-people-killed-in-two-mass-shootings-in-south-africa-suspect-at-large

Sat Sep 28 19:38:35 IST 2024

Two mass shootings that took place in a rural town in South Africa claimed 17 lives. Police have launched a massive search for the suspects on Saturday.

National police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe in a statement said 15 women and two men were killed in the shootings. One person got critically injured.

The shootings took place on Friday night in the town of Lusikisiki in Eastern Cape province in southeastern South Africa.

Video of the shooting released by the police showed the incident took place at two houses in the same neighbourhood.

According to the police, 12 women and a man were killed in one house, while three women and a man were killed in the other house. A 13-year-old boy is among those killed in the mass shooting.

Police are yet to reveal the details of the suspects.

Reportedly, the victims were packing goods and presents, including furniture, for the event when the attack occurred on Friday night. The group had gathered at the houses to attend a traditional mourning ceremony for a mother and daughter, who were murdered a year ago.

"The gunmen came and shot randomly," a local was quoted by News outlet Dispatch Live.

South Africa's homicide rate is around 45 per 100,000 people, compared to around 6.3 per 100,000 in the United States. South Africa recorded more than 27,000 homicides in the 12 months from March 1, 2023, to February 28, 2024.

trending-nasrallah-killed-in-lebanon-how-israel-air-force-penetrates-hezbollah-s-underground-hq-in-beirut-meet-the-bunker-busters

Sat Sep 28 19:38:53 IST 2024

Lebanon's Hezbollah confirmed the "martyrdom" of its leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday. The Iran-backed extremist group confirmed the death of its leader hours after Israel claimed having fatally struck a Hezbollah leadership met at their headquarters in Dahiyeh from the air.

Dahiyeh, located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, was known as the place where Hezbollah's underground headquarters was based. According to Tel Aviv, the Israel Air Force carried out a precise airstrike on Friday to kill Nasrallah, among other targets.

ALSO READ | Politics over peace? Netanyahu's speech at UN decoded

But how can air raids cause damage to such an extent to underground bunkers? Is it easy for modern weapons to drop from the air to penetrate targets located beneath the ground?

Bunker-buster bombs

The result depends on what kind of bombs/warheads are deployed by the fighter planes. While staying inside underground bunkers can protect targets from several modern air-to-surface weapons, others can still hit them. A military-strong state like Israel obviously has access to such weapons.

Israel instructed its pilots to let loose as many as 85 so-called “bunker-buster” bombs in Beirut during the recent offensive against Hezbollah, Al Jazeera said. The name comes from these bombs' ability to reduce underground facilities and reinforced concrete buildings, into rubble.

ALSO READ | Iran Supreme Leader next? Tehran moves Ayatollah Khamenei to secure spot after IDF says Hezbollah chief killed

Weighing between 2,000 and 4,000 pounds each, “bunker-buster” missiles dig deep into the ground instead of exploding immediately after making contact with the ground. These warheads are half the size of a regular bomb of similar weight. This is because their primary purpose is to burrow rather than obliterate the whole area.

They are manufactured with thicker steel than many other bombs. When fired, they maintain their shape and do not get dismantled if delivered on the roof of the target facility. Instead, it descends downward at high speed.

How do bunker-buster bombs work?

Living up to the name “ground penetration munition”, they detonate only after reaching targets many feet under the ground. It doesn’t require a powerful explosion to destroy its lower levels once it breaks through the underground structure, the Jerusalem Post said in a report.

ALSO READ | What bomb(s) Israel Air Force use in Beirut against Hezbollah?

“Bunker-buster” bombs penetrate 30 metres after hitting the ground. Even if the surface is blast-proof, the targets could still be neutralised as they are equipped to shatter six metres of concrete and create shockwaves that can collapse entire structures.

Israel's ever-growing arsenal

US-made GBU-39 and GBU-28 are reportedly among the bombs that fall under this catergory that are owned by Israel.

The Geneva Convention outlaws the use of these bombs in densely populated areas due to the risk of mass and indiscriminate casualties, Al Jazeera added.

However, the use of the said weapon was not confirmed by IDF. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an army spokesperson of Israel, meanwhile declined to say what munitions were used in the strike. He told Reuters that the airstrike was based on years of tracking Nasrallah along with real-time information that made it viable. He said Nasrallah's death had been confirmed through various types of intelligence.

hezbollah-chief-hassan-nasrallah-killed-by-israel-kidnapping-idf-soldiers-to-aiding-bashar-in-syrian-civil-war-5-things-about-late-lebanon-shia-leader

Sat Sep 28 21:48:08 IST 2024

"His eminence, the master of resistance, the righteous servant, has passed away to be with his lord who is pleased with him as a great martyr. The leadership of Hezbollah pledges ... to continue its jihad in confronting the enemy [Israel], supporting Gaza and Palestine, and defending Lebanon and its steadfast and honourable people," a statement by the mighty Lebanon-based Shia organisation read about the passing of its general secretary Hassan Nasrallah. An Israeli airstrike targeting Hezbollah's underground headquarters in Beirut claimed Nasrallah's life, his comrades said on Saturday.

While civilians rejoined his death in Israel, Hezbollah's allies including Iran strongly criticised the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Nasrallah's killing, who commanded the respect and loyalty of the Lebanese public, is a major blow to Hezbollah which has been under immense pressure from the IDF ever since the recent offensive began.

ALSO READ | Iran Supreme Leader next? Tehran moves Ayatollah Khamenei to secure spot after IDF says Hezbollah chief killed

Who was Hassan Nasrallah? How did he evolve from a poor family in Beirut to the political chambers of the Hezbollah network and thereby to the IDF and Mossad hit lists? Here are five things you may like to know about the late Iran-backed strongman:

1. Humble beginnings: Hassan Nasrallah was born in 1960 as the son of a poor vegetable seller in a Shia Beirut neighbourhood. He was the eldest of the nine kids in the family.

Inspired by the new Islamist ideologies taking wings in the Middle East in his youth, he joined the Islamic Amal, a Shia militia formed shortly before the Lebanon Civil War of 1975. However, at the beginning of the 1980s, Nasrallah left Amal in search of radical alternatives, The Guardian said in a report.

2. Hezbollah career: In the years that followed, Iran sponsored and orchestrated a coalition of Islamist groups that led to the founding of Hezbollah. Nasrallah rose among its ranks, sharpening his leadership and oratory skills over time. In 1992, he was chosen as the movement’s new secretary-general after Israel assassinated Abbas al-Musawi.

ALSO READ | Nasrallah killed in Lebanon: How Israel Air Force penetrated Hezbollah's underground HQ in Beirut? Meet the 'bunker-busters'

3. Direct face-off with 'zionist' regime: Against Israel, Hassan Nasrallah led Hezbollah twice (ahead of the ongoing crisis). First, he witnessed the IDF withdrawing from Lebanon in 2000, which he claimed to be the "first Arab victory against Israel." In 2006, his fighters launched cross-border attacks on the IDF, killing wight and taking two hostage. This escalated into a 34-day conflict that claimed the lives of 1,125 Lebanese and 164 Israeli people.

He stood for the independence of entire Lebanese territories held by Israel including the Shebaa Farms area, BBC said in a report.

ALSO READ | Politics over peace? Netanyahu's speech at UN decoded

4. Hezbollah gets a political facelift: In 2009, Nasrallah released a new political manifesto reportedly highlighting Hezbollah's "political vision". The reference to an Islamic republic, which featured in the 1985 founding document of the orgnaisation, was dropped. Earlier, Hezbollah had declared the obliteration of Israel and antagonism towards the Soviet Union and the United States among its principles. In the new manifesto, Israel and the US were named as enemies by Nasrallah, while reiterating that Hezbollah had reasons to keep its weapons despite a UN resolution against it.

5. Role in Syrian war: In 2013, Nasrallah's Hezbollah sent thousands of its fighters into Syria to support the regime of Bashar al-Assad against rebel push. This was critical in changing the course of the brutal Syrian civil war in favour of Tehran-backed Bashar. "It is our battle, and we are up to it," Nasrallah had said.