Lebanon

Sun English Edition | 10 months ago | urgent

Explosion of Israeli ammunition remnants kills several army members in southern Lebanon

At least six Lebanese soldiers were killed and others wounded in an explosion while inspecting a weapons depot in Tyre, southern Lebanon. The blast was caused by remnants of Israeli ammunition. An investigation is underway. This follows Israeli military operations starting October 8, 2023, escalating to full-scale war by September 2024, killing over 4,000 and injuring 17,000. A ceasefire in November 2024 required Israeli withdrawal by January 26, extended to February 18, but Israel still maintains five border outposts.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | urgent

Heavy Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon Kill Scores of Civilians

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 40 people in the past day, raising the death toll since October 7 to 38,193 Palestinians. In Lebanon, air raids killed over 700 goats and destroyed a home. Evacuation orders in Gaza City caused mass displacement. Healthcare services are strained; the al-Ahli Arab hospital was evacuated. Palestinian armed groups targeted Israeli military assets. Palestinian prisoners in an Israel-run prison face food shortages following Ben-Gvir's directive. Truce talks continue in Egypt and Qatar, but Israeli political dynamics complicate progress.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | urgent

Israel Kills Hezbollah Commander; 28 Palestinians Killed in Gaza as Israeli Onslaught Continues

A senior Hezbollah commander, Abu Ali Nasser, was killed in an Israeli drone strike near Tyre, Lebanon. The conflict has caused over 400 deaths in Lebanon, including 80 civilians, and displaced tens of thousands. In Gaza, 250,000 Palestinians were affected by a major evacuation order near Khan Younis. 28 Palestinians were killed in the last day, bringing the total to at least 37,953 since the war began. The UN reports 80% of Gaza's population displaced.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | tense

Israel Risks War With Hezbollah, US Analyst Warns

Former US military intelligence analyst Harrison Mann warned that Israel may initiate a war with Hezbollah to ensure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival, as Netanyahu faces corruption charges. Mann, who resigned from the Defence Intelligence Agency over US support for the Gaza war, argued that such a conflict could cause unprecedented casualties in Lebanon and Israel and draw the US into a regional war. He noted that Hezbollah could launch massive rocket attacks overwhelming Israel's defenses, and that an Israeli ground offensive would result in significant casualties. Mann criticized the Dahiya doctrine of bombing residential areas, predicting it would backfire. The Biden administration might become more involved, especially near US elections. Mann's resignation letter on LinkedIn condemned US enabling of killing and starvation of Palestinians. UN humanitarian coordinator Sigrid Kaag highlighted insufficient aid to Gaza, with 1.9 million displaced.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | tense

Israel, Hezbollah Exchange Blows Amid Fears of Wider War in Middle East

Hezbollah released a drone video showing sensitive Israeli sites and warned of widespread strikes. In response to an Israeli airstrike that killed a senior Hezbollah commander, Hezbollah launched rockets and drones toward Israel. Separately, Israeli forces attacked a UNRWA aid center in Gaza City, killing at least five people, and used white phosphorus munitions in southern Lebanon. Human Rights Watch criticized the use. Israel has closed all Gaza crossings to Palestinian patients. Since October 7, Israel has killed at least 37,598 Palestinians in Gaza.

Maldives Republic | 1 year, 11 months ago | tense

Hezbollah Drone Footage Raises Concerns in Israel

Hezbollah released a 9-minute, 31-second drone video titled 'Hoopoe' on Telegram, targeting Israeli sites including Haifa's ports, Rafael defence factory, Iron Dome batteries, and radar installations. The IDF declined comment. The US and France are mediating to reduce tensions along Lebanon's border. Hezbollah's drones pose a challenge, with Israel intercepting about 150 but some evading. US envoy Amos Hochstein visited Lebanon and Israel amid reports of an Israeli drone strike near Tyre and ongoing exchanges of fire.

Maldives Republic | 2 years ago | tense

Netanyahu Warns Tough Response Against Hezbollah as Border Tensions Rise

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a tough response against Hezbollah after rocket attacks, during a visit to Kiryat Shmona. The Israeli cabinet increased reservists by 50,000 to 350,000. The EU called for restraint. Human Rights Watch reported Israeli use of white phosphorus in southern Lebanon. In Gaza, Israeli strikes killed 36,586 Palestinians since October 7.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 5 months ago | tense

Hezbollah Targets Israeli Military Base

Hezbollah launched explosive drones at an Israeli military command base in Safed, retaliating for recent Israeli assassinations in Lebanon. This marks an escalation in targeting major military installations. Israel and Hezbollah have been in deadly exchanges for three months, with over 130 Hezbollah fighters killed. The killing of senior commander Wissam al-Tawil and Saleh al-Arouri was a significant blow. Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem vowed resistance will not retreat. An Israeli drone strike killed three Hezbollah members. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tours the Middle East to prevent escalation. Since October 7, at least 23,210 Palestinians killed and 59,100 wounded in Gaza, with the Health Ministry warning of famine.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 5 months ago | tense

Israel Kills Senior Hezbollah Commander

A suspected Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed Wissam Tawil, deputy head of Hezbollah's Radwan force, along with another fighter. The strike hit a car in Majdal Selm, causing a fire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on a diplomatic mission to the region, meeting with leaders in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Qatar to prevent broader conflict and discuss Gaza governance, Palestinian displacement, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, and tensions in West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Meanwhile, IDF reported killing 10 Palestinian fighters in Khan Younis. The health ministry stated that 249 Palestinians were killed and 510 wounded in the last 24 hours, with total deaths since October 7 reaching 23,084, including 9,600 children, and nearly 59,000 injured. WHO noted 600 patients and health workers missing from al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 5 months ago | tense

Thousands Attend al-Arouri’s Funeral, Israel Intensifies Gaza Bombardment

Thousands attended the funeral of senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut. Simultaneously, nine Hezbollah members were killed in Israeli strikes along the Lebanese border. The assassination of al-Arouri resembled Israeli targeted killings using unmanned drones. Gaza's Ministry of Health reported 125 Palestinians killed and 318 injured in 24 hours. Since October 7, 22,438 Palestinians have been killed and 57,614 wounded. Israeli forces withdrew from Nur Shams camp after a 40-hour raid, arresting hundreds. Bombardment continues in central and southern Gaza. Heavy rains flooded Jabalia camp, raising disease concerns.

Maldives Republic | 2 years, 5 months ago | tense

Hamas Deputy Chief Al-Arouri Assassinated in Israeli Drone Strike

Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chief of Hamas's political bureau and a founder of the Qassam Brigades, was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh. The Israeli military has not officially claimed responsibility. Arouri had been imprisoned by Israel for nearly 18 years and was key in negotiating the release of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in 2010. He operated in Syria, Qatar, and Lebanon, expanded Hamas networks in the West Bank, and was elected deputy to Ismail Haniyeh in 2017. He recently met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah to strategise against Israel and was involved in Qatar-facilitated hostage release talks. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had signaled targeting Hamas leaders, and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar stated they would be targeted everywhere. Hezbollah condemned the assassination and vowed retaliation. Since October 7, over 22,313 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.