Israel
Sir Keir Starmer to meet Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, and Emmanuel Macron in Germany
The leaders of the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and France will talk about the situation in the Middle East and the conflict in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer will fly to Germany on Friday to meet with Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, and Emmanuel Macron to discuss the Middle East crisis. The leaders of the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and France will meet to discuss the increasing humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, where the UN has warned that basic supplies for survival are running low, as well as the need for a hostage solution and de-escalation, Downing Street announced.
$1,800 per seat: luxury vessels depart Lebanon as planes dry up
The Princess 2010 yacht is an amazing example of a boat. Before the war, its shining white hull could be seen patrolling Lebanon's coastline, revellers making the most of the 24-metre-long craft for which they each paid $600. Since Israel began an intensive bombing campaign throughout large parts of Lebanon on September 23, the Princess has been on a completely different voyage. The $1.3 million vessel has been transporting families from Beirut to Cyprus, with bottles of champagne replaced with hurriedly packed luggage.
Iranian supreme commander says missile attack on Israel ‘will be done again if necessary’
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers his first statement at Friday prayers in five years, following Iran's launch of at least 180 missiles toward Israel on Tuesday night. Iran's supreme leader has asserted that its missile attack on Israel was "fully legal and legitimate," warning that it will be repeated if necessary. In an unusual speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei characterized Hamas' strike on Israel on October 7 as a "legitimate" act, urging Tehran's allies to "double your efforts and capabilities" against a "common enemy".
Netanyahu receives stern Biden remarks on peace accord and electoral influence
Joe Biden had terse words for Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Friday, saying he didn't know if the Israeli prime minister was holding up a Middle East peace deal - where Israel is at war with Hamas in Gaza and on a military offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon - to influence the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election. "No administration has done more for Israel than I have. None. There are none. And I think Bibi should remember that," Biden remarked, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. He went further: "And whether he's trying to influence the election, I don't know - but I'm not counting on that."
Russian views of Israel-Iran escalation: chaos desirable, war terrible
Anna Levina, a Russian researcher and photographer-documentarian based in Beirut, has been stockpiling supplies in anticipation of Israel's assault on Lebanon, and she has had non-perishables in her kitchen since last October when Hezbollah and Israel began firing missiles at each other. "The feeling is, of course, unpleasant, but I've been waiting for this moment for a year," Levina said of Israel's major escalation of missile strikes on numerous sections of Lebanon, including Beirut, during the past two weeks, which has killed over 2,000 people. On Tuesday, Israel also announced the start of ground operations in southern Lebanon, where its forces have since clashed with Hezbollah fighters.
Israel Strikes Central Beirut as Hezbollah Resists in Southern Lebanon
Israel's military launched an overnight airstrike on central Beirut, killing at least nine people, following losses in its ground battle with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The strike hit a residential building in Bashoura, near the Lebanese parliament. Health officials confirmed 14 more people were injured, with four still hospitalized. This is the second Israeli attack on Beirut this week, with Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV reporting that the building targeted housed the group's health unit. The Islamic Health Authority, linked to Hezbollah, stated that seven of its staff, including two medics, were among those killed.
Iran Prepares for Israeli Strikes as Supreme Leader Calls for Western Withdrawal from Middle East
Iran is preparing for potential Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, urged Western nations to exit the Middle East. During a meeting with students and scientists on Wednesday, Khamenei made his first public appearance since ordering a high-risk missile strike on Israel, in retaliation for Israel's recent strikes on Hezbollah leadership. Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group backed by Tehran, lost its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an assassination last Friday.
Israel and Iran exchange threats, raising regional war risk
Israel and Iran have launched retaliatory threats against one other, raising long-held anxieties about the possibility of a regional war. Israel, with support from its US ally, has threatened to reply to Iran's massive missile attack late Tuesday. Iran has stated that any such reprisal will face an even "tougher" response. Meanwhile, Israel renewed its attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday, announcing that it will send more troops to carry out the ground offensive that began on Tuesday.
Israel may target Iranian oil plants in retaliation strikes
Israel may strike Iranian oil refineries in retaliation for Tuesday night's attack, in which Tehran launched an estimated 180 ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and other locations across the country, dramatically escalating the situation between the two countries. According to the US website Axios, Israeli officials are considering a "significant retaliation" to the Iranian attack within the next few days, which may target Iranian oil production facilities and other vital targets. Israeli officials are said to be consulting with the United States on how to tailor their military reaction, which may push the Middle East closer to a regional war.
The U.S. is already at war
Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel yesterday in revenge for Israel's death of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last week and of Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. United States President Joe Biden directed the US military to assist Israel in neutralizing the missiles - not that Israel does not already have multiple layers of ultra-sophisticated protection against incoming projectiles, allowing it to slaughter people left and right while suffering minimal damage in return.
IDF claims Iran launched missiles into Israel
Iran has launched missiles into Israel, according to the Israeli military. The attack, in retaliation for Israel's campaign against the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, represents a dramatic escalation in the conflict. Approximately 200 missiles were launched, according to Israeli army radio. Warning sirens rang out in Jerusalem just after 5.30 pm5.30 pm UK time, and explosions were heard.
Netanyahu to Reject Ceasefire Calls, Vows to Fight Hezbollah ‘Until Victory’ in UN Address
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to dismiss any hopes for a ceasefire in his upcoming United Nations speech, as Israel commits to continue its battle against Hezbollah militants "until victory." On Wednesday, Britain joined the United States, France, and other allies in proposing a 21-day ceasefire. Sir Keir Starmer, during his UN address, urged both sides to "step back from the brink." However, Netanyahu, upon arriving in New York last night, firmly rejected the truce proposal. He stated that Israeli forces would maintain their offensive against Hezbollah strongholds "with full force" and continue until Israel’s objectives are met.