Israel to take legal action against Macron over naval trade show ban
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday he had ordered his ministry to start legal proceedings against French President Emmanuel Macron after Paris banned Israeli firms from participating in an upcoming military naval trade show.
Israel intensifies offensive in Gaza, Lebanon after Hamas leader’s death
Israel said it had struck Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, while officials in Gaza said they were still trying to recover bodies from the rubble after an Israeli strike that killed dozens.
At least 87 people were dead or missing following the airstrike on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza late on Saturday, the health ministry in the Palestinian territory said, one of the highest death tolls reported for months from a single attack. Israel said it was investigating reports of the incident.
It marked an intensification of Israel’s offensives against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, days after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had raised hopes of an opening for ceasefire negotiations to end more than a year of escalating conflict in the Middle East.
With U.S. elections approaching, officials, diplomats and other sources in the region say Israel is seeking through military operations to try to shield its borders and ensure its rivals cannot regroup.
Israel is also preparing to retaliate for an Iranian missile barrage earlier this month, though Washington has pressed it not to strike Iranian energy facilities or nuclear sites.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was the subject of an assassination attempt by “Iran’s proxy Hezbollah” on Saturday when a drone was directed at his holiday home. In a call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the prime minister reiterated that Israel would make decisions based on its own interests, according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
Israel’s government has rejected several attempts by the United States, its main ally and military backer, at brokering ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon.
Israel-Gaza War Updates: UN condemns Israeli airstrikes in Gaza’s Beit Lahiya
The UN peace envoy for the Middle East on Sunday condemned continued attacks on civilians after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza’s Beit Lahiya killed dozens late on Saturday.
“This follows weeks of intensified operations resulting in scores of civilian fatalities and near total lack of humanitarian aid reaching populations in the north,” said Tor Wennesland, the UN Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
Israel’s military said it intensified attacks in northern Gaza in early October to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping.
A total of 87 people were killed or missing under the rubble after an Israeli attack on Saturday on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, the enclave’s health ministry said on Sunday.
The Israeli military has said it was investigating reports of the incident, which left one of the highest casualty tolls in months.
Gaza’s health ministry says the strikes have killed hundreds since the Israeli campaign escalated.
Israel escalates Beirut bombing, accused of killing 73 in Gaza strike
Fighting raged on two fronts Sunday as Israel targeted what it said was a Hezbollah “command centre” in the Lebanese capital, while in Gaza rescuers reported 73 people killed in a single air strike.
The strikes on Hezbollah’s south Beirut stronghold came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Iran-backed group of attempting to assassinate him by targeting his residence.
It also came as Israelis marked the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said Israel’s strikes on Beirut hit a residential building in Haret Hreik near a mosque and a hospital.
The Israeli military said it hit the “command centre of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters” and underground weapons facility in Beirut and that it killed three Hezbollah militants in other strikes.
It later said about 70 projectiles fired from Lebanon crossed into Israel within a matter of minutes, and that it intercepted some of them.
Gaza’s civil defence agency meanwhile said an Israeli air strike on a residential area killed at least 73 Palestinians in Beit Lahia in the territory’s north.
“Our civil defence crews recovered 73 martyrs and a large number of wounded as a result of the Israeli air force targeting a residential area… in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza,” said civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal.
Israel-Hezbollah War Live Updates: Hezbollah says launched ‘big rocket salvo’ at north Israel army base
Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it launched rockets on Sunday at an Israeli army base east of the northern town of Safed.
Hezbollah fighters fired “a big rocket salvo” at an Israeli army base east of Safed, the group said, adding the attack was “in defence of Lebanon” and “in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks on villages and homes”.
Israel-Hamas War Updates: Palestinian officials say 87 dead or missing after Israeli strikes on northern Gaza
Gaza’s Health Ministry says 87 people are dead or missing after Israeli strikes on multiple homes in northern Gaza. It says another 40 people were wounded in the strikes on the town of Beit Lahiya overnight and into Sunday. Beit Lahiya, on the northern edge of Gaza, was among the first targets of Israel’s ground invasion nearly a year ago.
Israel-Hamas War Live Updates: Health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says war death toll at 42,603
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Sunday that at least 42,603 people have been killed in the war between Israel and Palestinian militants, although the toll did not incorporate a strike that killed dozens overnight according to rescuers.
The toll includes 84 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 99,795 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Nato nation aalutes Sinwar amid reports of ‘secret plan’ to attack Israel with Iran
04:01
Israel targets Hezbollah intelligence headquarters, 3 ‘key officials’ killed in strike
In a targeted attack on Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters located in southern Beirut, Lebanon, the Israeli military successfully eliminated three crucial members of the organization, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Israeli army confirmed that the strike resulted in the deaths of “Elhag Abbas Salameh, Racha Abbas Icha, and Ahmed Ali Hasin,” all of whom held significant positions within Hezbollah’s hierarchy.
Moreover, the Israeli military stated that the operation also targeted an underground facility in Beirut, which was allegedly being used as a weapons workshop by the group. The strike dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah’s operations and leadership structure, as the three individuals were considered essential to the organization’s functioning.
Israeli military strikes targeted Hezbollah centers in Beirut amid escalating tensions. The attack hit intelligence headquarters and weapons facilities, with additional clashes reported in southern Lebanon. Simultaneously, the Gaza offensive resulted in significant casualties. Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of an assassination attempt, intensifying the conflict.
‘Deeply concerning’: US investigates leak of classified Israeli plans
The United States is investigating a serious breach of highly classified information that disclosed Israel’s intentions for a possible counterattack against Iran, as reported by CNN based on information from three knowledgeable sources. The authenticity of the documents has been verified by one of these individuals.
An American official expressed grave concern over the leak, according to the US news organization.
The classified documents, which are dated October 15 and 16, appeared online on Friday after being shared by a Telegram account called “Middle East Spectator”. The files are labeled as top secret and are meant to be accessed only by the US and its “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing allies: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The leaked documents reveal Israel’s apparent readiness for a military operation against Iran. One file, originating from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, provides information about Israel’s movement of munitions as part of these preparations.
Israeli military says it attacked Hezbollah’s intelligence HQ in Beirut
The Israeli military said it carried out a strike Sunday on a Hezbollah command centre and underground weapons facility in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
“Earlier this morning (Sunday), the IAF (Israeli air force) conducted an intelligence-based strike on a command centre of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters and an underground weapons workshop in Beirut,” the military said in a statement.
Lebanon state media says Israeli strikes hit dozens of southern locations
Lebanese state media reported two Israeli strikes on Sunday morning in Haret Hreik and one in Hadath — all in Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold of Dahiyeh.
The Israeli military said it also killed three Hezbollah militants in other strikes in southern Lebanon where it says its troops are engaged in targeted raids.
Israeli strikes on Beirut after evacuation warning: State media
Two Israeli air strikes targeted south Beirut on Sunday after the Israeli army warned civilians to evacuate the stronghold of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, state media said.
The reported strikes came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement of trying to assassinate him by attacking his residence.
“Enemy (Israeli) airplanes carried out two strikes this morning on Beirut’s southern suburbs, one of them hitting a residential building in Haret Hreik” near a mosque and a hospital, the National News Agency reported.
The Israeli military had earlier issued an “urgent warning” for civilians living near buildings it said were affiliated with Hezbollah in the neighbourhood to immediately evacuate.
Israeli army orders evacuations in 2 neighbourhoods in south Beirut
The Israeli military has issued an urgent warning to civilians residing in close proximity to structures it claims are connected to Hezbollah in two areas of south Beirut. The army has instructed these individuals to evacuate immediately, as it plans to take action against the identified facilities in the near future. The warning was communicated by Avichay Adraee, the military’s Arabic spokesman, and pertains to the Haret Hreik and Hadath neighbourhoods.
In his message on Telegram, Adraee said, “You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, which the IDF will work against in the near future.” He emphasised the importance of immediate evacuation for the safety of the residents and their families, urging them to move at least 500 metres away from the targeted buildings and those in the surrounding area.
A US official confirmed the authenticity of the documents to Associated Press, which originated from the US Geospatial Intelligence Agency (GEOINT) and the National Security Agency (NSA). These documents outline Israel’s continued movement of military assets in response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack on October 1.
The world’s final glimpse of Hamas’ leader was rough and raw, showing him wounded and cornered as he sat in a bombed-out Palestinian home and faced down the Israeli drone filming him, hurling a stick at it. For Israel, the scene was one of victory, showing Yahya Sinwar, the architect of October 7, broken and defeated.
Over 70 killed in massive Israeli attack on Gaza’s Beit Lahiya, IDF calls number “exaggerated”
The Israeli military conducted an attack on Beit Lahiya, located in the northern part of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of up to 73 individuals, according to reports from Gaza authorities to Al Jazeera. It is feared that many more people may be trapped beneath the rubble, and the death toll is anticipated to increase as rescue operations proceed, as stated by Gaza’s Government Media Office.
The northern region of Gaza continues to face a severe crisis due to a 16-day Israeli military siege, which has cut off access to vital services such as food, water, and medical supplies in the area.
The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have questioned Hamas’ claim of 73 casualties in the recent strikes on north Gaza, describing the number as “exaggerated.”
Foreign minister Katz holds Iran responsible for “assassination attempt” on Netanyahu
Israel Katz, the minister of foreign affairs, accused Iran on Sunday of being responsible for the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The accusation came after a drone was launched towards Netanyahu’s residence in Caesarea, an Israeli town. Katz criticized Iran for asserting at the United Nations that Hezbollah, an “independent entity,” was “behind it.” He found Iran’s claim to be unacceptable and held the country accountable for the attack on the Prime Minister’s residence.
“The Iranian Embassy at the UN denies responsibility for the assassination attempt on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming: “Hezbollah was behind it.” The primary proxy, the tentacle Iran created, funded, armed, trained, and now controls in all its operations, is suddenly portrayed as an independent entity. Your lies and false pretenses won’t help you – you are responsible.” Katz said on X.
Israel strikes Beirut after Hezbollah rocket attack in northern region
Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut in response to the multiple rocket barrages fired by the Lebanese armed group in northern region of the Jewish state, Times of Israel reported. Israel’s infantry has also carried out its deepest operation in Lebanon, as per the report.
Earlier, a drone was launched towards Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s house. In response to that Netanyahi warned Iran’s “proxy” Hezbollah for the “grave mistake”. He said the “assassination” attempt will not deter him or Israel to “eliminate” the terrorists and “those who dispatch them.”
Two other drones that were fired from Lebanon on Saturday morning were downed by Israel’s air defences, triggering sirens in Tel Aviv, according to The Times of Israel report.
US investigating unauthorized release of classified documents on Israel attack plans
The US is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents that assess Israel’s plans to attack Iran, three US officials told The Associated Press. A fourth US official said the documents appear to be legitimate. The documents are attributed to the US Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency and note that Israel continues to move military assets in place to conduct a military strike in response to Iran’s blistering ballistic missile attack on October 1. They were sharable within the “Five Eyes,” which are the US, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Israel Gaza War Live Updates: Gaza rescuers say at least 73 killed in Israel strike in territory’s north “
Gaza’s civil defence agency said that an Israeli air strike on a residential area killed at least 73 Palestinians in Beit Lahia in the territory’s north, with many more feared trapped under the rubble.
“Our civil defence crews recovered 73 martyrs and a large number of wounded as a result of the Israeli air force targeting a residential area… in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza,” Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency told AFP. “There are still martyrs under the rubble.”
Israel’s military said the toll figure given by Gaza authorities “do not align” with the information it possessed.
Israel Hezbollah War Live Updates: Israel says about 200 projectiles fired by Hezbollah into Israel Saturday
The Israeli army said about 200 projectiles had been fired on Saturday by Hezbollah targeting the country amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Lebanese armed group.
“As of 23:00 (2000 GMT), approximately 200 projectiles that were fired by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation have crossed from Lebanon into Israel today,” the military said in a statement, as sirens blared across northern Israel at regular intervals throughout the day.
Israel Hezbollah War Live Updates: Iraq moves to revoke Saudi broadcaster’s license after report angered militia supporters
Iraq’s commission governing media announced Saturday that it would take steps to revoke the license of a Saudi television station to operate in the country.
That came hours after dozens of supporters of Iraqi militias stormed and looted the office of the broadcaster, MBC, in Baghdad in protest over a report that described a number of Iranian-linked militant figures — including a prominent Iraqi militia leader — as “terrorists.”
The report on “terrorists” who had been killed this century mentioned former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden alongside a roster of Iran-backed figures.
They included Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a veteran Iraqi militant who was the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries and founder of the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades.
US defense secretary speaks with Israeli defense minister, reviews US Force posture, Pentagon says
US defense secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday, reviewing posture adjustments of United States forces, including the recent deployment of an anti-missile system to reinforce Israel’s defenses against regional threats, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Austin also told his Israeli counterpart that he was relieved that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was safe after a drone attack reportedly targeted his holiday home in Caesarea, the Pentagon said.
Israel Hezbollah War Live Updates: Israel reveals news footage of Sinwar hiding in tunnel
It also revealed footages of supplies “meant for long stay in Sinwar’s underground hideout.”
Israel Hezbollah War Live Updates: IDF reveals new footage of Yahya Sinwar moments before being killed in ground ops
Yahya Sinwar spent years planning the Oct 7 attack, said the IDF official. Each step was planned to maximise harm to Israeli and Gazan civilian, he added.
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict continues to escalate, with violent clashes reported in southern Lebanon and airstrikes on Hezbollah targets. The US urged Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, resulting in limited aid entering the region. Meanwhile, Qatar confirmed no ceasefire talks have taken place in recent weeks. Hezbollah militants clashed with Israeli troops, and Israeli airstrikes targeted Syria’s Latakia. Despite international pressure, Israel intensifies its military response.
According to Israel’s PMO, Netanyahu’s Caesarea home was targeted in a drone attack. Two other drones fired from Lebanon were downed by Israeli air defences, triggering sirens in the Tel Aviv area.
“A UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) was launched toward the prime minister’s residence in Caesarea. The prime minister and his wife were not at the location, and there were no injuries in the incident,” the Israeli PMO said in a statement.