Live Updates: Blinken, French Counterpart Discuss Situation in Red Sea, Gaza, State Dept. Says
Live Updates: Blinken, French Counterpart Discuss Situation in Red Sea, Gaza, State Dept. Says
Sputnik Africa
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The situation in southern Lebanon became worse after the start of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army and... 04.01.2024, Sputnik Africa
israel defense forces (idf), israeli-palestinian conflict, israel, lebanon, gaza, hezbollah, hamas, middle east, новый онлайн для белой редактуры
israel defense forces (idf), israeli-palestinian conflict, israel, lebanon, gaza, hezbollah, hamas, middle east, новый онлайн для белой редактуры
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The situation in southern Lebanon became worse after the start of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters daily fire at each other's positions in areas along the border.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had struck military infrastructure allegedly used by the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
"Earlier today, several launches from Lebanon were identified crossing into Israeli territory and falling in open areas in Goren, northern Israel. Furthermore, a short while ago, a terrorist squad that was identified in the area of Yaroun in Lebanon was struck by the IDF. The IDF also struck observation devices, as well as military infrastructure in which Hezbollah terrorists were located," the IDF said in a statement on Telegram.
On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip across the border, killing over 1,200 people and abducting some 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 22,000 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes, local authorities said.
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16:37 04.01.2024
Blinken, French Counterpart Discuss Situation in Red Sea, Gaza - State Dept.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna spoke on the phone to discuss the continued attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea and measures to prevent escalation in Lebanon and Iran amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Thursday.
"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna yesterday. Secretary Blinken called for the immediate end of illegal attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis and the release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. The two discussed … affirmative steps to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and to avoid escalation in Lebanon and Iran," Miller said in a press release.
The two top diplomats also reaffirmed the urgency of international coordination to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the release said.
10:06 04.01.2024
Israeli Shelling Kills 4 People in Southern Lebanon - Reports
Four people have been killed in the city of Naqoura in southern Lebanon as a result of Israeli shelling, Lebanese media reported on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said it had struck military infrastructure allegedly used by the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
A Hezbollah official is among the victims of the Israeli strike on a house in Naqoura, Lebanese broadcaster Al Jadeed reported, adding that several more civilians had been wounded in the shelling.
The situation in southern Lebanon became worse after the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters daily fire at each other's positions in areas along the border.
08:34 04.01.2024
Iran's Top Diplomat, Borrell Discuss Blasts in City of Kerman, Situation in Gaza, Tehran Says
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and EU foreign policy chief Josef Borrell, in a telephone conversation, condemned the terrorist attacks in the Iranian city of Kerman and discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
"European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josef Borrell has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in the Iranian city of Kerman during a telephone conversation with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian," the ministry's statement read.
The EU foreign policy chief offered his condolences to the families of the victims and Iran's government and people and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Iran's foreign minister, for his part, thanked Borrell "for sympathizing with Iran over the Kerman attacks" and "referred to the necessity of the international community to fight different forms of terrorism."
08:33 04.01.2024
Israel Dropped Over 45,000 Bombs, Rockets on Gaza Strip Since October 7: Enclave
The Israeli military has dropped more than 45,000 rockets and bombs weighing over 65,000 tonnes on the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict escalated on October 7, the Government Media Office in Gaza said.
"Aircraft of the Israeli occupier have dropped over 45,000 rockets and huge bombs on the Gaza Strip during the genocide war, some of which contained 2,000 pounds of explosives," the office said in a statement.
The office added that the weight of the explosives dropped on the Gaza Strip is more than 65,000 tonnes.
08:33 04.01.2024
Pro-Palestine Protesters Disrupt California State Capitol, Singing 'Ceasefire Now': Post
Pro-Palestine demonstrators in California disrupted the legislative session at the State Capitol, singing 'Ceasefire Now' and causing lawmakers to take a recess, internet personality Collin Rugg said.
"Pro-Palestine protesters in California step up their game, start singing 'Ceasefire Now' at the California State Capitol," Rugg said in a social media post.
Rugg said the protesters wore N95 masks while initiating the singing of 'Ceasefire Now.'
"Lawmakers were forced to go on recess as the group disrupted the assembly floor session," Rugg added.
08:32 04.01.2024
Blinken to Embark on Mideast Trip Thursday, Including Stop in Israel: White House
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will travel to the Middle East on Thursday to visit several countries and the trip will include a visit to Israel, a senior Biden administration official said.
"Of course, we have Secretary Blinken heading out to the region. I think he leaves tomorrow night as well for stops in a number of countries, including of, course, Israel," the official said.
08:31 04.01.2024
Since November 23, Houthis Attacked Commercial Vessels 23 Times, Senior Official Reveals
Yemen's Houthis have attacked vessels in the Red Sea 23 times since mid-November, a senior administration official said.
"Since November 19, Houthi rebels from Yemen have attacked commercial vessels 23 times," the official said.
The official called Houthi attempts to tie their attacks to the situation in Gaza an illegitimate justification.
"The attacks the Houthis are launching in the Red Sea are indiscriminate, targeting ships most of which have had absolutely no connection whatsoever to Israel," the official said.
08:30 04.01.2024
US Holding UNSC Members ‘Hostage’ by Covering for Israel’s Actions: Russian Envoy to UN
The United States is holding the whole UN Security Council hostage over their cover-ups for Israel, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzya said.
"The US, covering for Israel’s actions, is holding other members of the Security Council hostage, preventing us from adopting a resolution...," Nebenzya told the Security Council members during a meeting on the Red Sea.
08:29 04.01.2024
Canada Reiterates Nationals Must Leave Lebanon Amid Escalation With Israel, Advisory Says
Canada's travel advisory agency on Wednesday reiterated its advice to nationals and permanent residents that they must immediately depart Lebanon amid the latest escalation with Israel.
"On January 2, 2024, explosions caused by suspected drone strikes occurred in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, resulting in casualties. The attacks appear to be related to the ongoing conflict in the region and could lead to an escalation of hostilities in Lebanon," the updated advisory said. "If you are in Lebanon, including in Beirut: be extremely vigilant and aware of your surroundings. book a flight to leave the country."
08:28 04.01.2024
US Was Not Informed in Advance About Killing of Hamas Official In Lebanon, State Dept. Says
Israeli Attack on Beirut Will Not Go Unanswered: Hezbollah Secretary General
The Israeli attack on the southern suburb of Beirut will not go unanswered, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said.
"What happened yesterday in the southern suburb [of Beirut] will not go unanswered and unpunished," Nasrallah said during a speech on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the death of the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, Lt. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, and the deputy chairman of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Committee, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
The Hezbollah secretary general also described the attack on Beirut as a "serious crime."
