Israel

EU Sanctions Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

The European Union placed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, on its terrorist sanctions blacklist on Tuesday. This decision was taken in response to the Hamas' attacks on Israel on October 7. The European Union on Tuesday added Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar to its "terrorist" sanctions blacklist over the October 7 attacks on Israel. The move means that ...

Israel Escalates Gaza Assault amid Fears of Widening War

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 78 people in Gaza overnight, despite authorities de-escalation announcement. Simultaneously, Hamas's armed wing the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades fired 50 rockets toward Netivot in southern Israel, resulting in no casualties. Israel pummelled southern Gaza on Tuesday, killing dozens, even as authorities announced ...

Iraq Summons Iranian Envoy, Recalls Ambassador from Tehran

Iraq delivered a strong rebuke to its ally on Tuesday, by summoning Iran's representative in Baghdad and withdrawing its ambassador from Tehran. This action was in response to the lethal missile attacks on Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. Iraq summoned Iran's envoy in Baghdad and recalled its ambassador from Tehran on Tuesday in a sharp rebuke ...

Escalation of Israeli Strikes in South Lebanon

On Tuesday, the Israeli air force carried out raids on Aita al-Shaab, as well as more than 15 strikes on the outskirts of Bayad, Wadi Slouki, and Wadi el-Hajir. The bombardments also hit the olive groves on the outskirts of Al-Abbara in Kfar Kila and the areas of Mays al-Jabal and Maroun al-Ras. The locality of Rab el-Thalathin was subjected to ...

Israel’s Infiltration of the South: What Does It Imply?

Amid relentless and heightening cross-border confrontations between Hezbollah and the Israeli Army over more than three months, Israel announced on Tuesday, January 16, that its special forces infiltrated southern Lebanon and removed mines in the village of Aita al-Shaab. The move was coupled with threats that came in the form of leaflets dropped ...

War Diary: Day 102

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for January 16, 2024.

Houthi Attacks Raise Tensions, Gaza Hostage Talks Offer Hope

The United States conducted new strikes in Yemen on Tuesday, according to a US official. Concurrently, the Iran-backed Houthis asserted responsibility for a missile attack on a Greek-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea. The White House expressed optimism, over discussions facilitated by Qatar which could result in a new agreement between Israel and ...

Blinken Fails to Convince Israel of a Solution

A plethora of solutions were proposed following the outbreak of the war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’ “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. The aim is to halt the killing machine annihilating the lives of civilians, over 23,000 of them so far. The latest suggestion came from Qatar. It provides for the exchange of hostages and detainees between Israel and ...

South Lebanon: Israel's Most Intense Night Raids Since October 8

The Israeli bombardment in South Lebanon, from Tuesday night until Wednesday morning, was the most intense since October 8, with fourteen simultaneous air and artillery strikes. They continued until morning, but at a reduced frequency. Some thirty missiles from fighter planes were launched on Wadi al-Slouki, in the outskirts of Hula, Wadi ...

Blinken: Palestinian Authority Needs Israeli Support, Not Opposition

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to support the Palestinian Authority instead of obstructing it. Speaking on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to help rather than hinder the Palestinian Authority, saying that Israel's long-term security was at ...

Guterres Warns Israel-Lebanon War Would Be a Disaster

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that a "full-fledged confrontation" between Israel and Lebanon would be a "total disaster" amid fears of a wider war. Addressing the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos, Guterres reiterated his call for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza. Fighting has ...

Hamas Imposes New Conditions in Hostage Medicine Deal

A high-ranking Hamas official unveiled, on Wednesday, updated requirements for the delivery of medication to hostages held by the group in Gaza. The official insisted that Israel should refrain from inspecting the trucks transporting the drugs. A top Hamas official announced new conditions Wednesday for delivering medicine to hostages held by the ...