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Ex-IDF Chief Rises as Netanyahu's Main Challenger in Israel's Election
10 days ago•Source: CNN
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4.18 min•13 days ago
Hezbollah Rejects US‑Brokered Israel–Lebanon Framework Amid Border Strikes
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem denounced the Washington-brokered framework linking a ceasefire with Hezbollah disarmament, saying Hezbollah will continue to resist as Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon and casualties rise. Protests followed in Beirut, and the Lebanese army urged restraint. The agreement does not mandate an immediate withdrawal but is framed as a path to normalisation and future direct talks, with some Lebanese officials praising it as progress while others warn it could empower Israel if Hezbollah remains armed. Israel signaled a potential extended stay in the security zone, and the toll from the conflict has surpassed 4,246 killed and 12,190 wounded since March.
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U.S. blocks Iran-flagged tankers as maritime blockade tightens amid regional clashes
CBS News•2 months ago
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Eight Palestinians Dead as Israeli Strikes Hit Gaza, Fraying Ceasefire
Eight Palestinians, including three children, were killed in two Israeli strikes on Gaza—five in Beit Lahia and three in Maghazi—with a Civil Defence first responder among the dead; Israel says it targeted a 'terrorist' near the Yellow Line, while Hamas denounces the attack. The ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile amid ongoing casualties and mutual accusations of violations since October.
Lebanon Statue Incident Sparks Global Outcry Over Israeli Soldier Actions
A viral photo shows an Israeli soldier allegedly hammering a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military confirmed the image’s authenticity and said an investigation would be opened. The incident provoked outrage on social media and drew sharp commentary from Israeli lawmakers, highlighting concerns about attacks on religious sites amid broader regional violence and perceived Western silence.
Netanyahu: Iran war could be prolonged, but won’t be years-long
Netanyahu said the U.S.-Israel war on Iran may take some time but will not be endless or last for years, a stance that accompanies shifts in Trump’s timeline and Netanyahu’s view of the conflict as potentially paving the way for lasting peace in the region, even as public support for strikes appears limited and broader consequences remain uncertain.
Drones Strike U.S. Embassy in Riyadh as Iran-Linked Tensions Escalate
Two drones hit the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, causing a limited fire and minor damage, according to Saudi officials. The U.S. mission in Saudi Arabia issued a shelter-in-place order and region-wide travel advisories as tensions with Iran rise following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Lebanon-based Hezbollah fires on Israel as IDF strikes back across Lebanon
Hezbollah claimed to have fired rockets at Israel from Lebanon in retaliation for Iran-related strikes. In response, the Israeli military said it was hitting Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including Beirut, after an interceptor prevented a projectile from crossing into Israel and no injuries were reported. Lebanon’s prime minister condemned Hezbollah’s action, while Israel warned of a forceful response and signaled readiness for a multi-front escalation under Operation Roaring Lion.
Aleppo clashes force Kurdish withdrawal as U.S. strikes ISIS across Syria
Syrian government forces detained about 300 Kurds and evacuated more than 400 Kurdish fighters from Aleppo after days of clashes with the Kurdish-led SDF, under a ceasefire that permitted their withdrawal. At the same time, U.S.-led forces carried out large-scale strikes against ISIS targets across Syria in response to the December Palmyra attack, highlighting lingering regional tensions as civilians fled and mediation efforts continued.
Violent Settler Attacks Erupt in West Bank Following Discovery of Missing Israeli Shepherd's Body
The body of 14-year-old Israeli shepherd Benjamin Achimeir was found in the West Bank, sparking a wave of violent settler attacks in the area. His killing is being treated as a terror attack, and Israeli authorities have launched a wide-scale probe. The discovery led to clashes between settlers and Palestinians, resulting in casualties and property damage. Tensions in the West Bank have been high, with ongoing violence and the potential for further escalation amid broader regional conflicts.
Gaza's Eid: Mourning, Memories, and Resilience
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are forgoing traditional Eid celebrations to mourn the ongoing violence and destruction in Gaza, with many expressing grief and anger over the loss of lives and homes. Tightened security measures and early morning raids by Israeli soldiers have dampened the holiday spirit, while in Gaza, the observance is marked by ruins and little food. The somber mood reflects the ongoing conflict and displacement experienced by millions of Palestinians.
"Hamas Leader Urges Ceasefire Despite Loss of Sons in Israeli Airstrike"
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's three sons and two grandchildren were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, prompting him to reiterate calls for a permanent ceasefire and the return of displaced Palestinians. US President Joe Biden urged Israel to agree to a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, marking a shift in US policy. The war in Gaza has led to a humanitarian catastrophe, with over 33,400 people killed and nearly all of the 2.3 million population displaced. Ceasefire negotiations in Cairo have faltered, and ground battles continue in several areas of the strip. The conflict has raised fears of a regional conflict, with tensions escalating between Israel and Iran.
"Netanyahu Declares Date for IDF Invasion of Rafah Amid Israel-Hamas War"
Palestinians return to Khan Younis in southern Gaza after Israeli troops withdraw, finding their city unrecognizable with thousands of buildings destroyed or damaged. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalates plans to invade Rafah, while international efforts to broker a cease-fire deal with Hamas are ongoing. The war, now in its seventh month, has left vast swaths of the territory unlivable for its 2.3 million people, with an estimated 55% of buildings in Khan Younis destroyed or damaged. Many Palestinians have no homes to return to, and the city is likely filled with dangerous unexploded ordnance left by the fighting.